U.S. delegation in Lebanon to discuss Israel ‘pilot zone’ withdrawal: official
A U.S. military delegation is in Beirut to coordinate the implementation of a framework agreement for Israel's gradual withdrawal from pilot zones in southern Lebanon. The plan aims to transition security control to the Lebanese military, though Hezbollah remains opposed to the agreement.
Why it matters
The success of this withdrawal mechanism is critical to de-escalating the broader West Asia conflict and managing the humanitarian crisis caused by mass displacement.
A U.S. military delegation met with Lebanon’s army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel’s withdrawal from a “pilot zone” in occupied territory, a Lebanese military official told AFP on Saturday (July 11, 2026).
Under a framework agreement reached on June 26, Israel will gradually withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon where it has deployed troops to fight Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia movement.
As part of the agreement, the long-disempowered Lebanese military will take full control of two small areas dubbed pilot zones.
“The American military delegation arrived and began meetings with the Lebanese army command to discuss the mechanisms for implementing the first pilot zone from which the Israelis will withdraw, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
“This is the main objective the American military delegation is bringing to Lebanon... it is the translation and implementation of the framework agreement.”
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