Lebanese Army begins deployment in Zawtar Al-Gharbiya amid Israeli violations

Lebanese security sources reported that units of the Lebanese Army began, today, Tuesday, the deployment operation in the town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in the Nabatieh Governorate, as part of implementing the first phase of the 'Framework Formula' agreement reached last month through US mediation. This move aims to restore state sovereignty over the southern regions concurrently with a gradual withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces.

The Lebanese Army announced that the occupation forces fired at its units while they were carrying out their duties in the town, warning that these provocations could hinder the agreed-upon field steps. In contrast, the Israeli occupation army claimed that the firing was 'warning shots' after a Lebanese Army engineering vehicle crossed the contact lines by 150 meters in an area it described as secure near Zawtar Al-Sharqiya.

For his part, the mayor of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, Abed Ezzeddine, confirmed that the town suffered massive destruction affecting more than half of its homes, noting that the infrastructure, including water and electricity stations, is out of service. Ezzeddine expressed residents' concerns about returning given the continued Israeli military presence in the neighboring town of Zawtar Al-Sharqiya, which is only a few minutes' walk away.

These field developments coincide with an official visit by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet his American counterpart Donald Trump to discuss guarantees for the continuation of the agreement. The plan stipulates that the Lebanese Army alone will have the authority to carry weapons in the specified areas, with villages being cleared of war remnants to ensure the safe return of displaced persons.

Army engineering teams have entered Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, and we are awaiting instructions to inform residents to return after the area is fully secured.