**Title: Israeli Withdrawal Plan Faces Scrutiny from Lebanese Officials**
The mayor of Froun, a village in southern Lebanon, has raised concerns regarding Israel's reported withdrawal plan, which is part of a recent agreement brokered by the United States. In an interview with RT, Mayor Hassan Adel Bazzi expressed confusion and frustration over the designation of Froun as a pilot withdrawal zone, noting that the area has never been occupied by Israeli forces.
The agreement, signed last week between the Israeli government and Lebanese officials, outlines a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, contingent on the disarmament of Hezbollah, the militant group operating in the region. As part of this arrangement, Israel is reportedly planning to create "experimental zones" in specific areas of southern Lebanon, from which its military would initially withdraw to facilitate the Lebanese Armed Forces in dislodging Hezbollah fighters.
Mayor Bazzi highlighted the community's surprise at the announcement, stating, "When Netanyahu declared that Froun and Zawtar El Gharbiyeh were experimental zones, we as a municipality and as residents were surprised and outraged." He emphasized that Froun is situated outside of the "yellow line," which Israel has defined as its self-declared buffer zone in southern Lebanon. According to Bazzi, "an experimental zone must be occupied territory," and he reiterated that Froun has never been occupied by Israeli forces, with the nearest Israeli presence being approximately five kilometers away.
The mayor's statements reflect a broader skepticism among Lebanese officials and citizens regarding the normalization of relations with Israel. Reports indicate that around 90% of the Lebanese population opposes any form of normalization with Israel, a sentiment echoed by Hezbollah, which has rejected the preliminary peace agreement, claiming it disproportionately favors Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has made it clear that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw from Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, indicating a complex and contentious path ahead for the implementation of the withdrawal plan.
As discussions continue, the situation remains tense, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The future of the agreement and the stability of the region will depend on the willingness of both the Israeli and Lebanese governments to navigate these challenges and address the concerns raised by local leaders like Mayor Bazzi.