The Israeli army said that the experimental phase of the safe zone project in southern Lebanon began on Monday in cooperation with the US Central Command and the Lebanese army.

The Israeli army warned that it would respond forcefully to any violation of the agreement.

Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement on June 26 after five rounds of negotiations, stipulating the disarmament of Hezbollah and Israel's gradual withdrawal from the territories it penetrated in southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army starting from two 'experimental zones'.

Hezbollah refuses to hand over its weapons and direct negotiations with Israel, relying on its supporter Iran to stop the war with Israel.

The framework agreement does not set a timetable for withdrawal, while Israeli officials reiterate that its forces will not withdraw from a 'security zone' extending ten kilometers from its border until Hezbollah disarms, a step analysts question the Lebanese state's ability to achieve.

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The Lebanese army said on Monday that it had begun last week to reinforce its deployment by intensifying patrols in the towns of Frun and Sarifa, while the Israeli army is still deployed on the outskirts of the western town of Zawtar, where it was advancing to carry out explosions and then retreating.

The Lebanese army reported that its units continue to 'carry out their missions in the southern areas, including the towns of Frun and Sarifa,' adding that 'follow-up is underway with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to begin deployment in the town of Western Zawtar after the Israeli occupation withdraws from it.'

Negotiations between Lebanon and Israel began after Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into a Middle East war when it carried out a rocket attack on Israel on March 2, in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Israel responded by launching airstrikes and a ground invasion.