Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to meet with President Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday. This meeting coincides with the Israeli military's initiation of a withdrawal from Lebanon, which is part of a U.S.-brokered agreement. Aoun is the first Lebanese president to visit the White House since 2009 and seeks political support from Trump, military assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and U.S. pressure on Israel to continue its withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
On Monday, the State Department announced that Israel is starting to withdraw from several villages in southern Lebanon. This limited withdrawal is part of a pilot zone agreement, which serves as a test case for broader withdrawals. It marks the first Israeli pullback since its ground invasion in March, following Hezbollah attacks. A U.S. official stated that the LAF will be responsible for these zones, ensuring they are cleared of Hezbollah weapons and secured against military use.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officials confirmed that the withdrawal began on Tuesday morning. A U.S. official noted that the establishment of these pilot zones represents progress and aims to build confidence between Israel and Lebanon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met with Aoun prior to his trip to Asia, emphasized the importance of strengthening the Lebanese government and LAF to replace Hezbollah, highlighting the need for economic prosperity in Lebanon. Trump and Aoun have previously communicated positively over the phone, and both leaders acknowledge that significant progress may not occur until after the Israeli elections in October.