Israeli military officials have released a map showing a new deployment line in southern Lebanon that extends several kilometres beyond the border into Lebanese territory. The map depicts a “forward defence line” running east‑west, roughly 5 to 10 km inside Lebanon. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered the demolition of homes along the border that are used by Hezbollah, saying any structure that threatens Israeli troops must be destroyed. Five Israeli divisions and naval forces are now operating south of the line to prevent attacks on northern Israeli communities.
The move comes despite a U.S.–brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect after direct talks in April. The ceasefire, agreed on Thursday, aims to halt more than a month of intensified fighting that, according to Lebanese officials, has displaced over a million people and killed nearly 2,300. Hezbollah, which boycotted the Washington talks, has offered conditional support for the ceasefire, demanding a complete halt to hostilities, a full Israeli withdrawal, and an end to Israeli operations in Lebanon as part of broader regional negotiations involving the United States and Iran.
Since early March, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have expanded what the military calls a security zone in southern Lebanon. The escalation followed rocket fire by Hezbollah in support of Iran, with Tehran making an end to Israeli operations in Lebanon a condition for wider diplomatic agreements. Lebanese authorities report that Israeli attacks have wounded more than 7,500 people, displaced over one million, and destroyed entire villages.
While the ceasefire provides a temporary pause, the continued presence of Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory and the ongoing demolition of structures risk undermining the fragile truce.
Comments are closed for this story.