A man smoking an arghileh sits near rubble in Nabatieh Fawqa, southern Lebanon, on June 23, 2026. (Credit: Fadel Itani/AFP)
SOUTH LEBANON — The mayor of Froun, Hassan Bazzi, told L'Orient Today on Sunday that the southern Lebanese town is not under Israeli occupation and lies entirely outside the so-called "Yellow Line," dismissing reports claiming that it is among the "pilot zones" allegedly being considered by Israel.
Located in the Bint Jbeil district, Froun has been regularly targeted by Israeli airstrikes and is situated near the villages of Ghandourieh and Qsair. According to L'Orient Today's mapping of military operations and information gathered by its correspondent in southern Lebanon, there is no indication that the Israeli military is present in the town.
The mayor stressed that Froun lies entirely outside the "Yellow Line," which marks the area in which the Israeli army has unilaterally granted itself complete freedom of action against anyone it wishes to. The "Yellow Line" refers to an occupation "buffer zone" extending approximately 8 to 10 kilometers north of the border, south of the Litani River, encompassing at least 55 Lebanese towns and villages, including Bint Jbeil and Khiam. He insisted that no part of Froun is under Israeli control and that the reports being circulated "do not reflect the reality on the ground."
Bazzi also stated that the Lebanese Army is deployed in Froun and maintains positions on the outskirts of the town near the Litani River. He emphasized that residents have observed no military presence other than the Lebanese Army inside the village.
He further explained that, since the ceasefire took effect, the municipality has been coordinating its efforts with the Lebanese Army to reopen roads, remove hazards left behind by the war, and facilitate the gradual return of residents following the extensive destruction suffered by the village. He added that the public school had been converted into a temporary shelter for families whose homes had been destroyed, in coordination with the Education Ministry.
He also said that reconstruction work is continuing, including the restoration of the water network, the rehabilitation of an artisan well, and the repair of a damaged solar energy installation.
On Saturday, the municipality of Froun had already issued a statement denying the reports circulating on the matter. It described as "completely unfounded" the claims that Froun was among the proposed "pilot zones," stressing that the village is neither occupied nor located within the Yellow Line. L'Orient Today was unable to find any trace of those reports online on Sunday.
The controversy follows reports of an Israeli plan to establish "pilot zones" in certain parts of southern Lebanon, from which the Israeli army would withdraw in order to allow the Lebanese Army to dislodge Hezbollah fighters, as part of a broader security arrangement linked to the ongoing negotiations over the post-war situation.
In its statement, the municipality called on the Lebanese state and the international community to fulfill their responsibilities in safeguarding Lebanon's sovereignty and ensuring that no measures are imposed that contradict the realities on the ground.
The controversy comes as discussions continue over a post-war security framework for southern Lebanon, which reportedly includes the creation of "pilot zones" where responsibilities would gradually be transferred to the Lebanese Army under "approval" of Israel and the United States, after which Israeli forces would be expected to withdraw in stages.
Reporting contributed by Muntasser Abdallah.
