Military delegations from the United States and Lebanon convened in Beirut on Saturday to advance the implementation of a US-brokered framework agreement aimed at securing Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources who spoke to Al Jazeera.
The discussions centered on establishing a practical mechanism for the first of two designated "pilot zones" outlined in the agreement, under which the Lebanese military would assume full security control of specific areas currently occupied by Israeli forces.
Framework Agreement and Its Limitations
The framework agreement, reached on June 26, provides for Israel's gradual withdrawal from southern Lebanese territories where it has deployed troops in its military campaign against Hezbollah. The deal envisions that Lebanon's armed forces, long sidelined in terms of operational capacity, will take charge of two small areas identified as pilot zones.
However, the agreement has notable constraints. It does not establish a specific timetable for the Israeli withdrawal. Israeli officials have publicly stated that their military will maintain a presence in a "security zone" extending 10 kilometers, roughly six miles, into Lebanese territory for as long as Hezbollah retains its weapons arsenal.
Hezbollah has rejected the agreement outright. The group opposes direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, instead favoring a ceasefire arrangement between the United States and Iran that includes a corresponding cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. Despite the reported breakdown of that broader ceasefire earlier in the week, Hezbollah has not resumed military operations in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera's reporting from the ground.
Continued Israeli Military Operations
Even with the framework agreement in place, Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon has persisted. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency documented multiple raids across the south on Saturday.
In the Tyre district, Israeli strikes targeted residential neighborhoods in the town of al-Mansouri, leaving seven people injured. Separately, Israeli forces deployed three tanks and several bulldozers to push into the eastern perimeter of Beit Yahoun.
Further incidents were reported in Houla, where Israeli military operations sparked fires that damaged residential properties and olive groves. In the Nabatieh district, Israeli forces detonated explosives that destroyed homes, according to the National News Agency.