Israel proposes three-zone plan for Lebanon’s south: The details

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian 

Israel has yet to respond to pressure from Washington to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon under U.S. sponsorship amid a ceasefire.

What Israel is expected to present during the first round of talks was put forward by former minister Ron Dermer, who declined to lead the negotiations at this stage but submitted a proposal aimed at advancing a settlement, to be discussed based on developments in the initial session.

Dermer’s proposal is based on dividing Lebanon into three zones and ensuring a prolonged presence of the Israeli military in parts of the south.

Under the plan, in the first zone, the Israeli military would maintain control from the border area up to the so-called “yellow line,” at a depth of about eight kilometers from the border, with substantial forces stationed there for an extended period under the pretext of completing the disarmament of Hezbollah.

In the second zone, between the “yellow line” and the Litani River, the Israeli military would continue what Dermer described as “clearing” the area of Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. 

As this objective is gradually achieved, Israeli forces would withdraw from areas where operations are completed, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy and assume security responsibilities.

The third zone lies north of the Litani River. According to Dermer, full responsibility for disarming Hezbollah in this area would fall on the Lebanese army.

For the three-point plan to be implemented, it requires approval from the Lebanese government for the continued Israeli presence in the southern security zone.

Accordingly, Dermer is cautiously optimistic about the possibility of reaching a temporary settlement with Lebanon. Israel is negotiating with a clear condition: no full withdrawal and no full implementation of the plan until the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons in Lebanon is completely resolved.