The IDF opened fire in the vicinity of Lebanese Army troops in Zawtar, an area in the province of Nabatiya, during the implementation of the “Safe Zone” pilot program on Tuesday.
The LAF claimed that this was an attempt to obstruct the implementation of the pilot zones by stopping Lebanese soldiers from entering them. The IDF later stated that the area into which the troops entered was not part of the pilot zone.
According to the IDF, troops identified Lebanese forces crossing about 150 meters beyond the established boundary of the security zone in Zawtar in a military engineering vehicle, in breach of the agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Israeli forces fired warning shots into the air, the IDF explained, and did not endanger nor intend to endanger Lebanese Army Forces, who retreated without any casualties.
“The IDF demands that the Lebanese army continue to operate in accordance with the understandings and in the agreed areas,” the military warned. “Any deviation without prior coordination could endanger its forces.”
Lebanese military deploys in three ‘pilot program’ areas, securing Hezbollah-free zones
The pilot program dictates that LAF troops will enter designated areas in southern Lebanon to verify they have been cleared of Hezbollah operatives and weapons, two people familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
Later on Monday, the IDF confirmed that the “Safe Zone” pilot program had begun with cooperation from the US and Lebanese militaries.
“As part of the pilot, teams from the IDF, the US military, and the Lebanese Armed Forces are coordinating and planning the continued implementation of the agreement,” the military stated.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
