WEST ZAWTAR, Lebanon — Residents of the southern Lebanese village of West Zawtar say their return home following an Israeli military withdrawal has been marred by destruction and ongoing security concerns, casting doubt on a U.S.-backed pilot program aimed at gradually ending Israel’s military presence in the region.
In July, Israeli forces withdrew from West Zawtar as part of a pilot zone initiative designed to facilitate a phased pullout of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. The plan, supported by the United States, links Israel’s withdrawal to the disarmament of the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah, which wields significant influence in the area. However, nearly two months after the initial withdrawal, no additional zones have been established, and local officials and residents express skepticism about the initiative’s effectiveness.
At the heart of the pilot zone experiment, West Zawtar’s population is contending with the lasting effects of conflict. Many homes suffered severe damage during the 2023 fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which saw a barrage of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations alongside Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel. Residents returning to West Zawtar found shattered windows, collapsed walls, and heavy vehicle tracks scarring once-verdant olive groves.
Mariam al-Yaghi, 67, described the proximity of Israeli troops who remain stationed in adjacent villages, often close enough for her to hear conversations and the movement of vehicles. Surveillance drones routinely monitor the village, adding to the residents' unease despite their stated determination not to leave.
“The tanks move this way and that way. We hear everything,” Yaghi said, gesturing toward the nearby Israeli positions. Her own home bears scars from tank shells, with broken glass replaced temporarily by cardboard and a water tank contaminated by the shell’s impact. Despite limited repairs, she and some neighbors have chosen to stay, hoping for a full Israeli withdrawal.
To access agricultural lands near troop positions, residents must seek permission through a U.S.-mediated coordination mechanism involving the Lebanese and Israeli militaries. While some villagers question the practicality of requesting approval to harvest their olive trees, most fear delays could jeopardize the season’s crop.
West Zawtar’s mayor, Abed Ezzedine, characterized the pilot zone as unsuccessful so far, citing inadequate public services—especially a lack of reliable electricity and running water. Approximately 70 families have returned, many occupying only the intact portions of their damaged homes. The Lebanese Council for the South has delivered several prefabricated houses to displaced families, but many remain uninhabited due to the absence of utilities, and infrastructure repairs are ongoing.
Israel’s military justified its presence and restrictions by citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah and the need to protect its forces. Israeli officials state that weapons clearance in southern Lebanon remains incomplete. Israeli drones, often visible above local towns, are used to monitor and identify potential hazards.
The U.S. State Department maintains that the pilot zone approach offers a viable route to long-term stability, emphasizing that expansion of cleared areas depends on further Lebanese army operations and Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Meanwhile, neighboring East Zawtar remains under Israeli occupation, with residents watching as their homes are systematically demolished. Some displaced East Zawtar residents have congregated in West Zawtar’s main square, observing their former village across a valley dotted with olive trees. Reports of recent house demolitions, including the use of explosives, contribute to the ongoing tension.
Despite the fragile ceasefire agreed upon in June, the situation in southern Lebanon remains volatile, with both sides wary and the future of the U.S.-brokered plan uncertain as violence and military activity continue to affect civilian life.