JERUSALEM (VINnews)-The Israel Defense Forces on Monday began a “Safe Zone” pilot program in southern Lebanon in coordination with the U.S. military and the Lebanese Armed Forces, marking an initial test of the ceasefire agreement’s implementation.

“In accordance with the directives from the political echelon, the ‘Safe Zone’ pilot program began today (Monday) in southern Lebanon, in cooperation with the U.S. military (CENTCOM) and the Lebanese Armed Forces,” the IDF said in a statement.

Teams from the IDF, U.S. military and Lebanese army are conducting coordination and planning for the continued rollout of the agreement, the military said. As part of the pilot, the IDF will withdraw and redeploy its forces in one of the two designated zones — the Zawtar Al-Gharbiya area — to enable the Lebanese army to enter the territory.

The Israeli military views the pilot as a key test of the Lebanese Armed Forces’ ability to assert sovereignty in the region. The final details of the process have not yet been finalized, according to the IDF.

In the event of ceasefire violations by Hezbollah, the IDF said it will work through a U.S.-led coordination cell to address them.

The pilot program represents the first practical step in efforts to stabilize southern Lebanon following the ceasefire that ended the intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.