Lebanese Residents Say Israeli Drones Persist After Withdrawal

Residents of West Zawtar in southern Lebanon say an Israeli withdrawal under a US-backed pilot-zone plan has not restored normal life: Israeli troops and vehicles remain nearby, surveillance drones follow residents, and homes have been damaged. The initiative, which links gradual Israeli withdrawals to Lebanese army clearance operations and the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, has stalled since Israeli forces left the village in July, with no additional zones agreed. Israel says it has not finished addressing threats from Hezbollah weapons and uses drones and movement restrictions to protect its troops. The U.S. calls the process the only viable path to security for both countries.