Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the southern village of Zawtar Al Gharbieh on Wednesday as a Lebanese-Israeli ceasefire agreement appeared to move into an implementation phase following months of military conflict. The visit occurred a day after President Joseph Aoun met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, where Trump pledged support for Lebanon’s government efforts to extend state authority throughout the country.
The agreement, signed in late June, establishes provisions for the Lebanese military to deploy in southern Lebanese areas where Hezbollah maintained military operations and influence. Israeli forces, which have occupied numerous villages in the region, are expected to withdraw under the accord’s terms. Both parties subsequently agreed on a pilot zone consisting of multiple villages designated to test the agreement’s implementation. While Israeli military operations have occurred in these areas, they remain unoccupied by Israeli forces, and the Lebanese army has not established substantial presence there.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began in March after the militant group fired rockets toward Israel in support of Iran, its primary backer. Israel responded with extensive aerial bombardment and ground operations in Lebanon, resulting in more than 4,000 deaths and displacing approximately 1.2 million people. Lebanon’s political leadership criticized Hezbollah for involving the nation in the conflict while also condemning Israel’s military campaign.
During his visit, Salam, accompanied by Lebanon’s defense minister and senior military officials, planted a Lebanese flag near a destroyed structure and pledged government commitment to reconstructing damaged homes and infrastructure. He stated the government’s objective remains full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, characterizing current developments as preliminary steps. Military personnel prevented immediate civilian entry to clear unexploded ordnance, though residents attempted to breach barriers to assess their properties.
Hezbollah has rejected the agreement and criticized the government for direct negotiations with Israel, though the group has not militarily opposed implementation. Its leadership contends that diplomatic means alone cannot compel Israeli withdrawal without leverage comparable to Iran’s influence. The Lebanese government and Aoun have appealed to the international community to provide investment and military assistance for reconstruction and capacity-building efforts.
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