Lebanese Prime Minister Visits War-Devastated Town as Ceasefire Takes Hold

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam traveled to the heavily damaged southern village of Zawtar Al Gharbieh on Wednesday, signaling momentum behind a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel that appears to be moving forward after sustained conflict. The visit occurred just one day after President Joseph Aoun met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, where Trump pledged American support for Lebanon’s efforts to reassert governmental authority nationwide.

Under the agreement finalized in late June, Lebanese military forces are scheduled to move into southern regions previously controlled by Hezbollah, while Israeli troops would withdraw from dozens of occupied villages. Both nations have agreed to establish a pilot zone comprising several towns where the accord’s implementation would initially be tested, though Israeli forces continue conducting operations in these areas without maintaining direct occupation while Lebanese military presence remains limited.

The current conflict erupted on March 2 after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in support of Iran, its principal backer. Israel responded with extensive aerial strikes and ground operations that have claimed more than 4,000 lives and displaced 1.2 million people across Lebanon. Government officials have blamed Hezbollah for provoking the invasion while simultaneously criticizing Israel’s bombing campaign and military incursion.

Salam planted a Lebanese flag near a destroyed structure in the town and committed to rebuilding homes and infrastructure damaged during the war. “We have insisted since the beginning that our goal is the complete Israeli withdrawal from all our territory,” Salam stated, vying to assure citizens of his administration’s determination to secure full territorial restoration through sustained diplomatic efforts.

Hezbollah has rejected the agreement and opposed direct negotiations with Israel, maintaining that military pressure rather than diplomacy alone can force Israeli troop withdrawal. The militant organization argues Lebanon lacks the negotiating power of Iran to compel Israeli concessions. Trump’s meeting with Aoun included assurances of support but offered no specific commitments regarding the pilot zone implementation.