Israeli Forces Expand Operations and Infrastructure in Southern Lebanon

Israeli military forces are strengthening their presence in southern Lebanon, where they currently control approximately 5% of the country's territory up to six miles from the border. According to observations by United Nations peacekeepers and Lebanese officials, the troop presence has expanded despite a ceasefire preliminary deal announced in June.

A humanitarian mission conducted by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) revealed heavy destruction across the occupied zone, where entire villages have been leveled. Israeli troops have established checkpoints, constructed service roads along the border wall, and re-purposed residential buildings into military positions protected by anti-drone netting.

UNIFIL Reports New Military Bases and Demolitions

UNIFIL officials confirmed that the Israeli military has added four new positions in the area, bringing its total count of occupied locations to nine. Kandice Ardiel, a spokeswoman for the peacekeeping force, stated that UNIFIL has documented the consolidation of positions, fortification of protective infrastructure, and engineering work involving Israeli civilian personnel engaged in demolition activities.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz previously stated during a visit to the region that he instructed military command to prepare for a prolonged presence. Israeli authorities maintain that their actions aim to establish a security zone to safeguard northern Israel against drone strikes, rocket attacks, and potential ground incursions by Hezbollah.

Ceasefire Violations and Diplomatic Standoff

Despite the June ceasefire framework brokered between the US and Iran, a Lebanese intelligence official reported more than 5,000 violations by Israel, including cross-border raids, air strikes, drone attacks, and land clearing. Lebanese officials allege that continuous demolitions are intended to block displaced civilians from returning to their home villages near the border.

In response, the Israeli military asserted that all target buildings were utilized by Hezbollah for combat operations and that all actions strictly adhere to international law. While Hezbollah has refrained from launching strikes into Israel since the agreement, it continues to engage Israeli forces operating inside Lebanese territory. Israel has conditioned its complete withdrawal on the full disarmament of Hezbollah, while a US-brokered framework proposes phased withdrawals in designated pilot zones backed by Lebanese military deployments.