BEIRUT/WASHINGTON — The US announced on Monday that “pilot zone operations” had begun as part of a Washington-backed security framework between Lebanon and Israel ahead of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s meeting with US President Donald Trump.The US State Department said in a statement, “Today, pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon.”It went on, “This milestone is a direct outcome of last week’s discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome. The United States will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion.”Froun and Srifa are both within the first pilot zone, which is south of the Litani River and outside the area where Israeli ground forces are currently deployed. On Friday, the Lebanese military deployed troops into Froun to set up checkpoints and conduct patrols, according to Lebanese news reports. "القاهرة الإخبارية" توثق دخول دورية للجيش اللبناني لبلدة فرون جنوب الليطاني#تابع_سوشيال_القاهرة #القاهرة_الإخبارية pic.twitter.com/Z92KayOZ8V— القاهرة الإخبارية - AlQahera News (@Alqaheranewstv) July 20, 2026