Israel and Lebanon have agreed to establish two [1] experimental zones in southern Lebanon to test regional stability and security.

This agreement represents a critical benchmark for the disarmament of Hezbollah and the restoration of state authority in areas previously contested by militant activity. The success of these zones could determine the long-term trajectory of Israeli military withdrawal and the broader peace process.

According to an Israeli official quoted by the Ma'arif newspaper, the creation of these two [1] zones serves as a trial for the Lebanese army. The official said the expansion of these areas is contingent upon the Lebanese military's ability to assert sovereignty over the territory.

Central to the agreement is the ongoing process of Hezbollah's disarmament. The experimental zones are intended to verify that the Lebanese army can effectively enforce state control, and ensure that militant groups no longer operate within the designated sectors.

If the Lebanese army demonstrates the capacity to maintain security, the agreement allows for the potential expansion of these zones. The process is designed to create a phased transition of control—shifting authority from military occupation or contested status to official state governance.

The official said the current arrangement functions as a test of the Lebanese army's field performance. The outcome of this experimental phase will likely influence future negotiations regarding the full scope of the Israeli withdrawal from the region.

“Israel and Lebanon have agreed to establish two experimental zones in southern Lebanon.”

The establishment of these zones shifts the burden of proof onto the Lebanese state and its military. By tying the expansion of these areas to the disarmament of Hezbollah and the assertion of sovereignty, Israel is creating a performance-based mechanism for withdrawal. This means that the timeline for a full military exit is no longer fixed, but is instead dependent on the Lebanese army's ability to neutralize non-state actors in the south.