In parallel with the ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by America, Israeli talk emerged about a “pilot project” being discussed between the two parties, aiming to strengthen the spread of the Lebanese army in the south and distance it from Hezbollah’s influence, at a time when many questions are still being raised about the implementation mechanisms and guarantees required on the ground.
According to a report by journalists Shai Levy and Arnon Schwarzman on the Israeli “Mako” website, Israel and Lebanon are holding talks about a pilot project that has the support of the United States and aims, according to the Israeli narrative, to remove Hezbollah from the border and enhance the presence of the Lebanese army in the south of the country.
The report quoted three Israeli sources as saying that the plan under discussion includes transferring control over parts of the areas where the Israeli army is currently deployed to the Lebanese army, within the framework of security arrangements being discussed between the two sides through American mediation.
The sources added that the Lebanese Army units that are supposed to be deployed in those areas will undergo special training and security audit procedures under American supervision and support, with the aim of ensuring their readiness to carry out the tasks that may be assigned to them within any future understandings.
The report indicated that the success of this plan, from the Israeli point of view, is not only linked to the operational capabilities of the Lebanese army, but also to its ability to prove its independence from Hezbollah.
In this context, the report stated that a number of Shiite soldiers serve in the Lebanese army, and that some of their family members belong to Hezbollah, claiming that previous field reports spoke of the reluctance of some Lebanese soldiers to confront members of the party, and even to provide assistance to them in some cases, whether by hiding them, transferring information, or carrying out other tasks.
This proposal comes in light of ongoing international efforts to stabilize the southern Lebanese border and prevent any new security escalation.
So far, there has been no official confirmation from the Lebanese or Israeli governments regarding the details of the project or the potential timetable for its implementation, while negotiations continue, according to the report, regarding the implementation mechanisms and required security guarantees.
