Israel Defines Geographical Coordinates and Strategic Criteria for Partial Withdrawal in Southern Lebano

Israel Defines Geographical Coordinates and Strategic Criteria for Partial Withdrawal in Southern Lebano

The Government of Israel has detailed the operational and geographical aspects that will guide the evacuation of two strategic areas in southern Lebanon, classified as "pilot zones." The plan, structured based on technical recommendations from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is part of the new trilateral framework agreement signed in Washington through United States mediation.

The partial withdrawal was designed based on strict national security criteria and adopts the Litani River — a crucial hydrographic and strategic divider in the region — as the primary line of reference for the demarcation of the affected territories.

The Two Pilot Withdrawal Zones

The pullback of Israeli troops will occur exclusively at two specific points:

 

Pilot Zone South of the Litani River: Located in a region situated entirely outside the perimeter of Israel's original security zone. This territorial pocket, positioned between the river's course and the Israeli border, will be transferred to the control of the regular Lebanese army to test Beirut's capacity to manage security in the vicinity of the border.

Pilot Zone North of the Litani River: Situated above the course of the river, this area comprises a rugged and mountainous sector that was part of the "expanded security zone" occupied by Israel during deep incursions in recent weeks. The withdrawal from this specific point occurs after the IDF high command assessed that maintaining fixed positions north of the Litani generated unnecessary logistical strain and was no longer tactically fundamental to the defense of Israeli territory.

Conditional Timeline and Security Guidelines 

Unlike traditional diplomatic treaties, the timeline established for this process does not feature rigid deadlines or fixed dates on paper. The transition was defined as a phased and strictly conditional model, the progress of which will depend on practical performance on the ground.

The speed of the withdrawal and the eventual expansion of the model to other areas are directly linked to the actual capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to consolidate their authority in these two pioneering points and prevent the return of Hezbollah members. To ensure compliance with goals and mitigate infiltration risks, United States military officials will operate directly on the ground in logistics and technical verification monitoring within both pilot zones.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that the active defense line in the original security zone remains unchanged and entirely frozen to the return of civilians or hostile forces. The total and definitive demobilization of Israeli troops from the region remains without a set timeframe, strictly conditional upon the complete and verified disarmament of Hezbollah.