Rubio Says Israel, Lebanon Discussing ‘Pilot Zones’ for Possible Israeli Troop Pullback

The U.S.-mediated talks would test whether the Lebanese Armed Forces can secure territory now used by Hezbollah.

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Wednesday that Israel and Lebanon are discussing a possible scale-back of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon as part of U.S.-mediated negotiations in Washington.

Rubio said one proposal under discussion involves creating “pilot zones” — specific, defined areas where the Lebanese Armed Forces would move in, take control, and secure the territory before expanding to additional areas.

“The more of that area that the Lebanese armed forces is able to secure, the less of it is in Hezbollah’s control, the less Israel will be in Lebanon,” Rubio told reporters during a trip to the Gulf.

Rubio defended Israel’s current buffer zone in southern Lebanon, saying it exists because Hezbollah had used the area to launch rockets and drones at Israel. The U.S.-backed proposal is designed to test whether Lebanon’s army can assert control in areas long dominated by the Iranian-backed terror group.

However, progress has reportedly been limited. Israeli officials remain frustrated with Washington’s decision to include a Lebanon ceasefire track in the broader U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding reached last week, while Israel continues to insist that any withdrawal must be tied to Hezbollah’s removal from the border region.

Rubio is currently in the Gulf seeking to reassure U.S. allies, including the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, after the recent war with Iran left regional partners more exposed to Tehran’s threats.

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