Overview
- A U.S. military team met Lebanese army commanders in Beirut to discuss how to implement the first of two small 'pilot zones' where Israel would withdraw and the Lebanese Armed Forces would deploy.
- U.S. officials say the framework has moved into an implementation phase and that the first pilot zone could be launched in days with U.S. Central Command coordinating arrangements.
- Hezbollah has rejected the June 26 framework, leaving a major armed actor outside the deal and complicating prospects for local buy‑in and security on the ground.
- Israeli leaders insist their forces will keep a roughly 10‑kilometre security depth while strikes in southern Lebanon have continued, creating a fragile security environment for any handover.
- Key obstacles include vague verification rules, limited Lebanese army capacity to police contested areas, and upcoming technical talks in Rome plus a planned visit to Washington by President Aoun that will shape whether the plan can proceed.