AiBotIn a significant development, Saudi-owned media Asharq News has obtained a confidential Security Annex signed alongside the agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The annex provides details of the “pilot zones” for the planned withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from small areas of southern Lebanon.
The agreement, facilitated by the United States, outlines the initial steps towards demilitarization and eventual redeployment of Israeli forces from the region. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will be responsible for clearing all Hezbollah personnel and infrastructure from the designated withdrawal zone, which currently includes the villages of Froun and Zawtar El Gharbiyeh.
As per the agreement, the LAF will indirectly coordinate with Israel to implement the necessary measures. Upon successful completion of this process, Israel has committed to a “phased, conditions-based, progressive reduction” and “eventual redeployment” of its forces from Lebanon.
The annex outlines a four-step model for the pilot zones:
Firstly, clearance of all non-state armed groups and associated infrastructure, including but not limited to, weapons, caches, tunnels, and command centers.
Secondly, verification of clearance by a mutually agreed-upon third-party entity.
Thirdly, the LAF will assume sole operational control in the area, preventing any resurgence of non-state armed activity.
Lastly, the Lebanese state will lead reconstruction efforts, supported by international assistance and coordinated through the political track.
The agreement also establishes the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), which will be responsible for overseeing the deconfliction, verification, and implementation of the agreement. The cell will report to the respective political authorities of Israel and Lebanon via indirect military-to-military channels.
The LAF has committed to take necessary measures to ensure the disarmament of Hizballah and all other non-state armed groups, preventing any military role or capability within Lebanon.
The agreement highlights the desired outcome of restoring full Lebanese state authority throughout Lebanon and ensuring the long-term security of Israel. The ongoing verification process will occur simultaneously with clearing operations, with the parties conducting periodic reviews, facilitated by the US, to assess the implementation and resolve any disputes that may arise.
While this development marks a crucial step towards peace and stability in the region, experts caution that the road ahead will be complex and challenging, requiring sustained effort from all parties involved. Nonetheless, the agreement holds promise for a brighter future, one where Hezbollah’s military capabilities are significantly diminished and Israel can proceed with its withdrawal, fostering a more lasting peace in the region.
In a broader context, the agreement is seen as part of a broader effort to reduce tensions in the Middle East, marking a significant departure from the past decades’ history of conflict and animosity.