The implementation of the experimental zones stipulated in the 'Framework Agreement' continues to clash with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of synchronization between the deployment of the Lebanese army in them and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from them, thus preventing a security vacuum.

This file tops American attention, amid pressure from Washington on Netanyahu to facilitate the deployment of the Lebanese army, in parallel with preparations for the sixth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, under American sponsorship, in Rome on July 15 and 16.

The round is expected to discuss the formation of joint committees, including a coordination committee chaired by American General Joseph Clerfield, tasked with monitoring the deployment of the Lebanese army in the areas covered by the agreement and coordinating field procedures to ensure the implementation of the deployment without obstacles.

The negotiations also discuss expanding the geographical scope of the experimental zones, so that they are not limited to southern towns not under Israeli occupation, but gradually extend to other towns still under occupation, with the committee tasked with immediate intervention to address any malfunction that may occur, preventing the deployment process from stalling or suffering any setback.

Representatives of Lebanon, Israel, and the United States sign the Framework Agreement at the US State Department headquarters last June (Archive - Reuters)

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat learned from a ministerial source that the meeting held between the army command and the American monitoring team supervising the army deployment was positive and concluded with an understanding stipulating the deployment of the army in conjunction with the Israeli withdrawal, provided that it is not limited to towns under the control of legitimacy but includes towns still occupied.

The ministerial source revealed that the obstacle still preventing that is Netanyahu himself, because he does not want to hear about 'experimental zones' or the gradual withdrawal of his army from the towns it occupies. The source said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to intervene in the fourth and fifth rounds of negotiations to pressure the Israeli delegation to include the experimental zones as a key item for implementation, as it opens the door for the Lebanese army to deploy up to the international borders.

The source pointed out that Netanyahu's problem lies in the fact that he is preparing to run in the parliamentary elections, which prompts him to refuse to include an explicit clause stipulating the withdrawal of the Israeli army in the text of the 'Framework Agreement'.

He added that Netanyahu insists on limiting the deployment of the Lebanese army to towns not within the occupied villages, under the pretext of testing its ability to fully establish control over them and prevent any armed presence of 'Hezbollah', with subsequent stages based on the results of this test.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meeting with Army Commander Rodolph Heikal earlier (Lebanese Presidency)

But President Joseph Aoun insists on the principle of synchronization, as the source confirmed. He said his position was met with support from the American monitoring team, based on the positive atmosphere that prevailed in his meeting with the commander of US Central Command 'CENTCOM', Admiral Brad Cooper.

The source mentioned that Aoun reiterated his position when receiving US Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa, who expressed understanding of his insistence on this synchronization and did not object to amending some of the clauses in the 'Framework Agreement', which serves as an agenda for negotiating based on it and reaching a final agreement between Lebanon and Israel under American sponsorship.

In other words, amending the agreement, according to the source, comes in the context of its implementation on the ground with American support, especially since the Lebanese-American readiness to implement the deployment plan is complete, and it is pending Netanyahu's response by endorsing synchronization.

He confirmed that the amendment of the 'Framework Agreement' topped the meeting of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri with Ambassador Issa as part of his tour of the three presidents, and said that Berri stressed the need to amend it and to definitively establish a ceasefire, and that the army deployment should include model areas and towns still occupied, because it is not permissible to limit it to those under state control, 'especially since our army does not need testing and has the ability and readiness to deploy in occupied towns in immediate synchronization with Israel's withdrawal from them,' as quoted from Berri.

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri meeting with US Ambassador Michel Issa earlier (Parliament Presidency)

The source quoted Ambassador Issa as saying, in meetings held away from the spotlight, that 'the duo' rushed to shoot at the 'Framework Agreement', considering that it would have been better to allow room for its implementation in stages, to test the extent of Washington's readiness to intervene directly to put it on the track of implementation, without excluding amendments to it in parallel with the start of its implementation.

The source added that Ambassador Issa is betting on the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, scheduled for July 21 in Washington, to gauge the extent of the US administration's readiness, in action rather than words, to provide support to Lebanon.

He pointed out that the dual military pressures on Iran aim to achieve two goals: first, to hold it to its commitments in the 'Memorandum of Understanding' signed with the United States, and second, to stop its intervention in Lebanon, and urge 'Hezbollah' to facilitate the implementation of the 'Framework Agreement' as the only available option after the collapse of the military option.

The source added that Trump remains committed to his pledge to support Lebanon, and that there is an opportunity that must not be missed to save the country and lift it out of crisis, stressing that the diplomatic solution is the only option as a condition for restoring state authority over all its territories and confining weapons to it, especially since 'Hezbollah' had tried the military solution and involved itself and the country in an uncalculated adventure by supporting Gaza and Iran, thus it has no choice but to stand behind the diplomatic solution that enjoys an American lever to end the occupation.

Supporters of 'Hezbollah' carrying a picture of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during a memorial ceremony in the southern suburb of Beirut on July 8, 2026 (EPA)

The source considered that Washington is continuing to exert pressure on Tehran to put an end to its intervention, through the 'Revolutionary Guard', in Lebanese internal affairs, and demanding that it lift its hand from Lebanon and not place obstacles before the implementation of the 'Framework Agreement', as it is the only gateway to Israel's withdrawal.

He saw that Netanyahu and his war team are trying to circumvent American pressures, wishing to buy time, based on including the stay of the Israeli army in Lebanon in his electoral program, aiming to block the way for his political opponents as he prepares to fight early elections.

Accordingly, the source views the American military pressures on Iran as partly aimed at compelling it to adhere to its commitments in the 'Memorandum of Understanding', at a time when Trump, according to observers' reading, will not allow the American arena to become a field for prolonged attrition managed by Iran through the 'Revolutionary Guard', as he is on the eve of the midterm elections.

He pointed out that Trump avoids repeating the Russian experience in its war on Ukraine, which has been ongoing for years, considering that this explains his targeting of the 'Revolutionary Guard' as the entity that holds the decision in Tehran and controls the Lebanese card on behalf of 'Hezbollah'.