Lebanon PM visits first ‘pilot zone’ after Israeli withdrawal amid residents' anger | TheBriefWire
Lebanon PM visits first ‘pilot zone’ after Israeli withdrawal amid residents' anger
Published 22 July 2026 · politics
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has planted the national flag in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, marking a symbolic return of state authority a day after Israeli forces
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has planted the national flag in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, marking a symbolic return of state authority a day after Israeli forces withdrew from the southern town, one of three designated "pilot zones".
Residents remain sceptical, with many stopped at an army checkpoint and told they cannot return home until landmines are cleared. Some houses were demolished just before the Israeli withdrawal, deepening mistrust among locals who say the agreement offers little real change.
Lebanon's parliament speaker has said the move barely counts, as the wider question of a full Israeli withdrawal remains unresolved. Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett reports from the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Lebanon.
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Published: July 23, 2026 • 2:30 AM IST · Updated: July 23, 2026 • 3:09 AM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points· Video
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has planted the national flag in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, marking a symbolic return of state authority a day after Israeli forces withdrew from the southern town, one of three designated "pilot zones".
Residents remain sceptical, with many stopped at an army checkpoint and told they cannot return home until landmines are cleared.
Some houses were demolished just before the Israeli withdrawal, deepening mistrust among locals who say the agreement offers little real change.
Lebanon's parliament speaker has said the move barely counts, as the wider question of a full Israeli withdrawal remains unresolved.
Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett reports from the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Lebanon.
The BriefWire