Israel says pilot safe zones begin in southern Lebanon

AI Summary

Israel announced the launch of a pilot program for safe zones in southern Lebanon, coordinated with the U.S. military and Lebanese armed forces. The initiative is part of a framework agreement to disarm Hezbollah, withdraw Israeli forces, and deploy Lebanese troops.

July 20 (Reuters) - The Israeli military said a pilot programfor what it calls safe zones in southern Lebanon began on Monday in cooperation with the U.S. military and the Lebanese armed forces. The pilot zones are designated areas in southern Lebanon where a U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon signed last month foresees Iran-backed Hezbollah's disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of Lebanese troops.