More than 100 days have passed since the IDF transferred control of three villages in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border to the Lebanese army as part of a pilot program intended to facilitate an Israeli withdrawal and remove the terror group Hezbollah from the area.
Ynet reports that Hezbollah operatives have been returning to the villages while oversight talks remain stalled. The pilot program is now being described as a failure, with serious security consequences for communities in northern Israel that have long been targeted by Hezbollah.
One of the clearest examples of the gap between the pilot’s objectives and the reality on the ground comes from Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, the village where implementation of the arrangement began. After the Lebanese army deployed there in late July 2026, Hezbollah-affiliated organizations began reappearing.
Reports and footage collected by the Alma Research and Education Center indicate the return of civilian organizations linked to Hezbollah, including the Islamic Health Organization and the Wataawano Association, whose name means “Help One Another.” In other words, it is not only residents who are returning to the village, but also organizations affiliated with Hezbollah.
The terror group also does not appear to be hiding its activities from the military. One video showed Hezbollah members recovering the bodies of operatives in one of the villages, accompanied by Lebanese army personnel. Civilian organizations affiliated with Hezbollah, such as the Wataawano Association, are reportedly designed to create social and economic dependence among residents, strengthening the terror group’s influence over local communities.
In addition to restoring its civilian influence, Hezbollah has been using this time to rebuild its military capabilities. The IDF continues to operate in the area, maintaining defensive positions just outside the pilot zones. However, Hezbollah’s military capabilities remain relatively limited for now.
The Fellowship prays for the communities of northern Israel, located just miles from where Hezbollah operatives are returning. Together with our supporters, we also pray for the brave men and women of the IDF deployed along the northern border and near these security zones.