The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) issued a full statement on September 9, providing detailed information regarding weapons and munitions confiscated during recent operations conducted in the southern Lebanese towns of Zawtar al Gharbiyeh, Froun, and Srifa. These operations represent a significant component of pilot zones that were officially initiated by the United States on July 20. The primary objectives of these pilot zones are to restore state control in the specified southern Lebanese areas and to clear them of Hezbollah arms. This initiative is a direct outcome of the June 26 Trilateral Framework, an agreement established between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States.
The Trilateral Framework itself sets forth a carefully sequenced process designed to achieve several critical goals: restoring Lebanese state authority across its territory, disarming non-state armed groups operating within Lebanon, and systematically dismantling their military infrastructure. The LAF's statement emphasized that the measures undertaken during these operations allowed the Lebanese military to achieve "operational control" over the designated areas. This control, according to the LAF, includes the ability to manage and regulate movement into and out of the areas of operation, marking a key step towards asserting state sovereignty. The United States had formally announced the commencement of these pilot zone operations on July 20, specifically stating their aim to restore state control and clear Hezbollah arms in Zawtar al Gharbiyeh, Froun, and Srifa.
Confiscated Arsenal Detailed
In its September 9 statement, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) released specific figures pertaining to the items confiscated during its activities. This provision of detailed statistics was a notable addition, as an earlier report from Agence France-Presse (AFP) regarding the same operations had not included such precise numerical breakdowns. According to the LAF, approximately 1,818 weapons and pieces of ammunition were confiscated throughout the duration of its activities within the southern pilot zones.
A significant portion of this confiscated arsenal consisted of light ammunition. The LAF statement identified 1,560 items as pieces of "light ammunition." This particular category of munitions constitutes a substantial majority of the total items reported, accounting for roughly 86 percent of the overall 1,818 items seized by the LAF. The sheer volume of light ammunition shows the scale of the disarmament efforts in these areas.
Beyond light ammunition, the confiscated arsenal included a range of more sophisticated weaponry. Among the items seized were 10 rocket-launch platforms, indicating the presence of infrastructure capable of launching projectiles. Additionally, seven rockets were confiscated, further noting the military capabilities that were being addressed. The LAF personnel also successfully seized six drones, which can be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, or even offensive purposes. The statement further detailed the confiscation of 51 rocket-propelled projectiles, suggesting a considerable cache of anti-tank or anti-personnel ordnance. 10 aerial bombs were found and confiscated during the operations. The LAF also reported that a significant quantity of mines and various other explosive devices were among the items seized, posing potential threats that required careful handling and removal.
Separately, on August 9, prior to this full report, the LAF had announced a related success. On that date, military specialists had successfully dismantled unexploded missiles and aerial bombs. These dangerous munitions were reportedly remnants left by Israeli strikes in Zawtar al Gharbiyeh and several other southern towns, emphasizing the complex and hazardous environment in which the LAF operates.
Framework and Operational Control
The overarching Trilateral Framework, under which these operations are conducted, includes a specific Security Annex. This annex outlines a structured, four-step pilot zone model designed to ensure a methodical approach to restoring stability and state authority. The four steps are defined as: clearance, which involves the removal of unauthorized military assets; third-party verification, to ensure transparency and compliance; Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) operational control, signifying the military's assertion of authority; and finally, Lebanese-led reconstruction, aimed at rebuilding and normalizing the affected areas.
The LAF explicitly stated that the measures implemented to impose "operational control" in the pilot zones were multifaceted and strong. These measures included the establishment of six fixed checkpoints, strategically placed to monitor and regulate movement. In addition to these checkpoints, 13 observation posts were set up, providing continuous surveillance over the areas of operation. LAF troops conducted round-the-clock patrols, ensuring a constant military presence and responsiveness. A key aspect of these operations involved actively removing or confiscating weapons and unexploded ordnance, directly addressing the presence of illicit arms and dangerous remnants of conflict. These actions were critical in allowing the LAF to achieve "operational control" and manage movement into and out of the areas of operations, as stated by the LAF.
During their operations, LAF troops also undertook significant infrastructure work, opening approximately 12 kilometers of roads. This effort likely aimed to improve accessibility for military patrols and potentially for civilian movement in the future. The military also conducted searches of an unspecified number of homes, a sensitive undertaking that the LAF stated was carried out "with the consent of their owners," noting an attempt to maintain community cooperation. However, the LAF's September 9 statement also included a key caveat: it indicated that the subsequent phases of the pilot areas and the steps to follow had not yet been fully agreed upon. This suggests ongoing negotiations or planning regarding the future trajectory of these disarmament and control efforts.
Despite the detailed accounting of confiscated items and operational measures, the September 9 statement from the LAF did not specify how many of the seized items, if any, specifically belonged to Hezbollah. This omission leaves open questions about the direct attribution of the confiscated arsenal to the non-state armed group. The statement did not identify any Hezbollah weapons caches, tunnels, or command centers as having been dismantled in Zawtar al Gharbiyeh, Froun, or Srifa. The LAF statement also did not indicate that any Hezbollah operatives were disarmed or arrested during these operations, focusing instead on the material confiscations and establishment of control.
Regional Context and Conditions
The operations in the southern pilot zones occur within a complex regional context marked by recent conflict and ongoing efforts toward stabilization. An anonymous Lebanese soldier, speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on July 29, provided an early, albeit informal, confirmation of the military's activities, reporting that troops had indeed confiscated weapons and dismantled explosive devices within Zawtar al Gharbiyeh. This report provided an initial glimpse into the on-the-ground reality of the operations.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has consistently articulated its prerequisites for a complete and effective deployment. The LAF stated that an end to Israeli attacks and violations was the "basic factor" required for the Army to fully complete its deployment and effectively carry out its framework missions. This condition shows the LAF's perspective on external factors impacting its ability to assert full control and implement security mandates in the volatile border region. In a related development, on January 8, the LAF had announced that it had "effectively and tangibly" achieved the objectives of the first phase of its weapons-restriction plan in the South Litani Sector, an area of strategic importance.
The recent period has seen significant hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah reopened hostilities with Israel on March 2, launching missiles and drones. This action followed US-Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, indicating a direct link between regional power dynamics and local conflict. By June 19, Hezbollah attacks had tragically caused the deaths of at least 32 Israeli soldiers and four civilians, noting the severe human cost of the conflict. In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Israel and Hezbollah subsequently agreed to a ceasefire on June 19. This key agreement was arranged through the diplomatic efforts of US and Qatari negotiators, with additional assistance from Iran, demonstrating the involvement of multiple international and regional actors in managing the conflict. Looking ahead, on January 29, 2025, the LAF announced its intention to expand its deployment in the southern Litani area and to fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, a resolution that calls for a full cessation of hostilities and the deployment of the LAF in southern Lebanon.
