Israeli military officials have released a map outlining a new deployment line in southern Lebanon, extending several kilometres beyond the border into Lebanese territory. The move comes despite a recently brokered US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect after direct talks between the two sides in April.
The ceasefire, agreed upon on Thursday, aims to halt over a month of intensified fighting that has displaced more than a million people and killed nearly 2,300, according to Lebanese officials. However, Israel has indicated its forces will remain in parts of southern Lebanon, citing security concerns and the need to dismantle what it describes as Hezbollah infrastructure.
The newly published map shows a “forward defence line” stretching east to west, roughly 5 to 10 kilometres inside Lebanon. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered the demolition of homes along the border used by Hezbollah, stating that any structure posing a threat to Israeli troops must be destroyed. The Israeli military says five divisions and naval forces are currently operating south of the line to prevent attacks on northern Israeli communities.
Hezbollah, which boycotted the Washington talks, has expressed conditional support for the ceasefire, demanding a complete halt to hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal. The group has also called for an end to Israeli operations in Lebanon as part of broader regional negotiations involving the US 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 over 7,500 people and displaced more than one million, with entire villages destroyed in the process. While the ceasefire provides a temporary pause, the presence of Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory and the continued demolition of structures risk undermining the fragile truce.
