The IDF announced today (Monday) it has launched a regional pilot program dubbed ‘Safe Zone’ in southern Lebanon, following directives from Israel’s political leadership. The dramatic move is being carried out in close coordination with the U.S. military (CENTCOM) and the Lebanese army. As part of the pilot, joint teams from the IDF, U.S. military, and Lebanese army are conducting ongoing coordination and planning for continued implementation of the agreement reached between the countries.
Under the program, Israeli forces will reposition in one of the pilot zones to allow the Lebanese army to carry out its security mission in the area. The IDF emphasized the move will be executed while strictly maintaining the security of Israeli forces, the right to self-defense, and the removal of immediate threats. This represents a highly significant sovereignty test for the Lebanese army in the three pilot villages, as the only official entity authorized to bear arms in this area.
The pilot will be accompanied by a strict oversight mechanism led by the United States. The overarching goal of both the pilot and the broader agreement is to disarm Hezbollah of its illegal weapons. Israeli forces will act forcefully against any violation of the agreement and will maintain direct contact with the American coordination cell if violations by the terror organization are detected. Israel will remain in the security zone as long as necessary to protect northern communities, while maintaining full operational freedom to remove threats.