During Talks in the US, Israel and Lebanon Establish a Pilot Zone of Authority

JAKARTA - Israel and Lebanon will establish a "pilot zone" where authority over the zone will be given to the Lebanese military during US-mediated talks in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday (23/6).

Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Monday reported that the move would see the Israeli military withdraw some of its forces from the area known as the "Yellow Line".

"The Israeli military will be forced to withdraw from part of the Yellow Line area," wrote Haaretz, quoting an unnamed Israeli source reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, June 22.

The Yellow Line is an imaginary line set by Israel about 8 kilometers in Lebanese territory from the border with Israel.

"The negotiators from the Israeli and Lebanese sides will determine, in the upcoming talks, which pilot areas will experience a transfer of authority from the Israeli army to the Lebanese army," the source said.

The Lebanese army will operate under strict US supervision and will take over responsibility for areas no longer controlled by the Israeli army.

Washington has hosted several rounds of talks between Lebanon and Israel. The Americans are now preparing to host the latest round of talks on Tuesday.

However, Israeli officials, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly stressed that the Israeli army will not withdraw from the areas it occupies in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army stepped up its attacks in Lebanon on Friday (19/6) and Saturday (20/6), launching more than 200 attacks in the southern and eastern regions of the country. Israel claims that the attacks targeted Hezbollah locations.

Anadolu correspondents reported that many of the attacks hit houses and civilian infrastructure. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, last weekend's attacks killed 105 people and injured more than 150 others.

According to official data from the Lebanese side, the Israeli attacks since March 2 have caused more than 4,100 people to die and more than 12,000 people to be injured.

Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some of which have been occupied for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war.