U.S. pilots Lebanon army control in three villages as Israel begins withdrawal
The U.S. has begun implementing pilot zones in southern Lebanon where the Lebanese army will assume control from Israel. This initiative is part of a trilateral framework involving the U.S., Israel, and Lebanon, aimed at enabling a phased Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The operations started in three villages: Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya.
Meanwhile, Khalil AlHayya has been elected as the new leader of Hamas, succeeding Yahya AlSinwar, who was killed during clashes with the IDF in October 2024. AlHayya was previously the head of Hamas's negotiating team and was elected on July 18, 2026.
The U.S. has also been active in the region, conducting airstrikes on Iran and discussing proposals to disarm Hezbollah. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss the implementation of the U.S.-Israel-Lebanon Trilateral Framework and other regional issues.
The situation in the region remains tense, with ongoing conflicts and negotiations. The Palestinian Authority is seeking to have Sebastia recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, while Israel has seized roughly 500 acres of privately owned Palestinian land around the town.
The Lebanese army has begun assuming security responsibilities in the three southern villages as part of the U.S.-backed pilot initiative. The U.S. State Department described this as a direct outcome of last week's discussions in Rome between the parties involved.
Hezbollah has congratulated Khalil AlHayya on his election as the new leader of Hamas, stating that this election sends a clear message to Israel and its supporters that Hamas remains strong and united.
The U.S. has also been conducting airstrikes on Iran, targeting military command centers, missile and drone launch sites, maritime capabilities, and air defense systems. This follows attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, for which the U.S. holds Iran responsible.
In the West Bank, tensions continue as Israeli settlers and the army are accused of being in partnership by Palestinians after two were shot dead. The Israeli army has also nearly struck right-wing Israeli activists mistaken for terrorists near the Syrian border.
The Palestinian UN envoy has urged continued European support for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
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Articles
On Sebastias hilltop, Israelis and Palestinians are fighting over who owns the past and controls the present
news.yahoo.com · about 8 hours ago
Lebanese president meets Rubio at start of Washington visit, to see Trump Tuesday Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, discussing the implementation of the US-Israel-Lebanon Trilateral Framework. Aoun called for stronger US support for the Lebanese army and economic engagement, with a White House meeting scheduled with President Trump on Tuesday.
yenisafak · about 8 hours ago
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dr.dk · about 9 hours ago
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yenisafak · about 9 hours ago
Palestinian UN envoy urges continued European support for UNRWA
gdeltproject.org · about 9 hours ago
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die presse · about 9 hours ago
Lebanese return to pilot zone villages they say Israel never occupied Under a US-brokered plan, Israel is to hand over control of some areas it occupies in Lebanon to Lebanese government.
aljazeera · about 9 hours ago
Live: Lebanons Aoun to meet Trump as pressure builds to disarm Hezbollah Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, as pressure builds for Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, Israels key condition before withdrawing from south Lebanon. It comes a day after the United States announced the start of the implementation of an agreement granting the Lebanese army control over "pilot zones" in the south .Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
france24 · about 10 hours ago
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financial times · about 11 hours ago
Gaza residents weigh in on election of new Hamas leader
aljazeera · about 11 hours ago
Israel says pilot safe zones begin in southern Lebanon reut.rs/4hnIDaH
bluesky_Reuters · about 11 hours ago
US announces pilot zone operations in 3 southern Lebanon villages The US State Department announced on Monday the commencement of pilot zone operations in three southern Lebanese villages under a trilateral framework with Israel and Lebanon, describing the initiative as a direct outcome of last weeks discussions in Rome between the two parties.
yenisafak · about 11 hours ago
The U.S. Puts Once-Unthinkable Ideas on the Table to Disarm Hezbollah Proposals such as enlisting Syria, vetting Lebanese troops or relying on Israel alone face steep hurdles.
wsj · about 11 hours ago
IDF nearly strikes right-wing Israeli activists mistaken for terrorists near Syrian border
news.yahoo.com · about 12 hours ago
Lebanese army deploys to three southern pilot zones under US-backed security framework The Lebanese army began assuming security responsibilities in three southern villages on Monday under a US-backed pilot initiative, the State Department said. Operations in Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya mark the first implementation of a framework aimed at enabling a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Hezbollahs disarmament.
france24 · about 12 hours ago
Glavni pogajalec Halil Al Haja prevzema vodenje Hamasa Palestinsko gibanje Hamas je za svojega novega vodjo izbralo Halila Al Hajo, ki je bil glavni pogajalec v mirovnih pogovorih in je na položaju nasledil Jahjo Sinvarja, potem ko je bil ta ubit v spopadu z izraelskimi silami v Gazi pred skoraj dvema letoma.
rtv slovenia · about 12 hours ago
🇱🇧🇱🇧🇵🇸 - Hezbollah has published a statement congratulating the election of "brother" Khalil AlHayya as Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau. 📝Full statement [click to expand]: Hezbollah extends its congratulations and blessings to Brother Khalil al-Hayya, the esteemed Mujahid and fighter, and to the brothers in Hamas, leadership and fighters, on his election as Chairman of the Political Bureau of the movement, succeeding the righteous martyr, leader Yahya Sinwar. This election sends a clear message to the Zionist enemy and its supporters, and to all those who bet on ending the Palestinian resistance, that Hamas remains present, strong, and united, and will continue its path despite all the assassinations and attempts to break its will and the will of its people. The banner of resistance, which the enemy seeks to bring down by killing its leaders, will remain flying high, carried by loyal men who safeguard the trust and continue the path with faith, determination, and steadfastness. We in Hezbollah, as we congratulate our brothers in Hamas on this blessed step, wish Brother Leader Khalil al-Hayya all success and guidance from God in fulfilling this great responsibility and carrying the trust left by the martyred leaders. We affirm that the Palestinian resistance is based on its great people, who have written the most wonderful epics of resilience and sacrifice in the face of the Zionist killing and terrorism machine, and will remain steadfast and defending the rights of the Palestinian people until the liberation of its land and holy sites. @GeoPWatch
telegram_GeoPWatch · about 13 hours ago
Israeli settlers are in partnership with the army, say Palestinians after two shot dead in West Bank
bluesky_The Guardian · about 13 hours ago
«Photo Kegham», fragments dun autre Gaza Au Centre photographique Marseille, Kegham Djeghalian Jr présente ce quil a pu retrouver des archives de son grand-père, créateur du premier studio du territoire palestinien en 1944. Des scènes de vie quotidienne souvent joyeuses à mille lieues de lactualité mortifère de lenclave.
liberation · about 13 hours ago
#NEW 🇵🇸🇵🇸 - Khalil AlHayya was, nearly unanimously, elected as Hamas Chair of Political Bureau following elections on the 18th of July in Gaza, outpolling Khaled Mishaal. Khalil replaces late Chairman Yahya AlSinwar, killed during clashes with the IDF in October of 2024. Khalil was the former Head of Hamas Negotiating team. @GeoPWatch
telegram_GeoPWatch · about 13 hours ago
Οι ΗΠΑ ανακοίνωσαν την πιλοτική εφαρμογή ζωνών στον νότιο Λίβανο που θα ελέγχονται από τον εγχώριο στρατό, αποχωρούν οι IDF Στόχος της πρωτοβουλίας είναι η σταδιακή μεταβίβαση του ελέγχου των περιοχών στον λιβανικό στρατό, σύμφωνα με τους όρους της συμφωνίας, σε ένα βήμα που θεωρείται ότι οδηγεί προς την εφαρμογή της εκεχειρίας στην περιοχή
protothema · about 13 hours ago
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courrier international · about 13 hours ago
Al-Hayya, luomo di Teheran scampato ai raid: È un duro, con lui niente disarmo a Gaza Legato ai defunti Khamenei e Nasrallah, terrà Hamas dentro allasse della resistenza anti-Israele fedele agli ayatollah
corriere · about 13 hours ago
Al-Hayya nuovo capo di Hamas, era il braccio destro di Sinwar La procedura segreta per scegliere il leader era iniziata a gennaio dopo 2 anni di guida collegiale
corriere · about 13 hours ago
What does Khalil al-Hayyas election win mean for Gaza? Al-Hayya wins Hamas leadership with a single-vote margin, signalling a focus on Gaza amidst continued Israeli aggression
aljazeera · about 13 hours ago
Libanees leger neemt macht over van Israël in pilot in Zuid-Libanon Het Libanese leger is begonnen met een proef waarbij het de controle moet overnemen van Israël in het zuiden van Libanon. Het is de bedoeling dat het Libanese leger het bestand tussen Hezbollah en Israël gaat handhaven in drie gebieden.
nu.nl · about 14 hours ago