Why Israel sees Lebanon’s 'pilot zones' as path to containing Hezbollah
Israel views the proposed pilot security zones in southern Lebanon as a pragmatic way to gradually expand Lebanese state control, push Hezbollah away from the border and preserve a fragile ceasefire while the Trump administration pursues broader negotiations with Iran.
TEL AVIV — Israeli reactions to the US-brokered agreement between Lebanon and Israel to establish Hezbollah-free “pilot” security zones in southern Lebanon have ranged from skepticism to guarded hope. Some observers suggest the arrangement could evolve into a stabilizing mechanism of neither war nor peace, much like the US-brokered framework currently governing Gaza.
Israeli pessimism
“The US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington are undoubtedly a historic event,” an Israeli military source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “For the first time, the Lebanese government is holding direct talks with us aimed at establishing peace and normalization between the two countries.”
Nonetheless, he dismissed the prospect of a comprehensive agreement in the foreseeable future.
