A military source in the Lebanese army told Asharq that army units have begun deploying in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyya, which is the first pilot area agreed upon for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The source explained that Israeli forces were stationed on the outskirts of the town before withdrawing from it, noting that engineering units of the Lebanese army have also begun deploying inside the town.

The source affirmed that there is no timeline yet for subsequent Israeli withdrawal operations, explaining that Zawtar al-Gharbiyya is the only pilot area where implementation of the agreement has begun, and no second pilot area has been agreed upon so far.

Regarding the virtual meetings between the Lebanese and Israeli military delegations, the source said that no new date has been set for the meeting after the Israeli side canceled the meeting scheduled for last Friday, citing 'technical reasons.'

Earlier on Monday, the United States announced the launch of the first 'pilot areas' in Lebanon, paving the way for the Lebanese army to deploy in them in parallel with the withdrawal of Israeli forces, following talks held by the two sides in Rome last week.

The US State Department explained in a statement that this step comes within the framework of implementing the 'Tripartite Framework' under the supervision of the Lebanon-specific Military Coordination Group, noting that it represents a 'direct fruit' of the negotiations held between Israel and Lebanon in the Italian capital Rome.

It added that operations have begun in the towns of Frun, Sirfa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyya, according to the Tripartite Framework and under the auspices of the Lebanon-specific Military Coordination Group.

The Lebanese army announced on Monday that its military units are continuing to carry out their tasks in the southern areas, including the towns of Frun in Bint Jbeil district and Sirfa in Tyre district, while continuing coordination with the Lebanon-specific Military Coordination Group (MCG4L) in preparation for starting deployment in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyya in Nabatieh district immediately after Israeli forces withdraw from it.

The Lebanese army command called in a statement on 'citizens not to go to the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyya at this stage, and to adhere to the instructions of the deployed military units, to preserve their safety, until the deployment procedures are completed.'

The beginning of Israeli withdrawal

The Israeli army also announced the start of the withdrawal from the 'pilot areas' in southern Lebanon in cooperation with the US and Lebanese armies on Monday, 'based on political-level directives.'

It added in a statement that 'army teams will carry out, in cooperation with the US and Lebanese armies, coordination and planning work to continue implementing the agreement.'

The Israeli army spokesperson warned that the army 'will act forcefully against any violation of the agreement.'

A senior Israeli official said that the Israeli army will begin, as of Tuesday, the withdrawal from the 'pilot areas' in southern Lebanon, according to what the Axios website correspondent reported.

In June, the United States, Lebanon, and Israel signed the Tripartite Framework agreement, which stipulates a mutual and sequential process beginning with two pilot areas, where the Lebanese army assumes security responsibility after verifying the disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantling their infrastructure.

In return, Israel commits to reducing its forces and gradually redeploying outside Lebanese territory, in a phased and conditional manner, and in parallel with the Lebanese army's deployment.