Lebanese army deploys troops to pilot zone amid civilian return delays

Beirut – The Lebanese army announced on Monday that it has established a “pilot zone” in the southern district of Marjayoun to facilitate the return of displaced families who have been living in temporary shelters since the cross‑border hostilities of October 2023. The security perimeter, which covers roughly 15 kilometers of the border area, is staffed by a mixed contingent of infantry units and engineering teams tasked with clearing unexploded ordnance, restoring basic services and maintaining public order. According to a statement from the army’s public affairs office, the pilot zone will initially accommodate up to 2,000 residents, with plans to expand the operation pending assessments by the Ministry of Interior and United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The deployment follows weeks of coordination between the armed forces, municipal authorities and humanitarian agencies aimed at addressing the urgent needs of families who have been waiting to reclaim their homes. Officials emphasized that the pilot zone is intended as a model for similar initiatives along other sections of the frontier, where security concerns have hindered the safe repatriation of civilians. The army will continue to monitor the area, conduct regular patrols and work with local leaders to ensure that the return process proceeds in an orderly and secure manner.