OMM Redaksiyası
The Israeli army is preparing to enter a new phase of fighting in southern Lebanon in the coming days, Israeli media reported on Friday.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, the army plans to reorganise its forces in the area it calls the “yellow zone”, including reducing and redeploying troops stationed along the line.
Israel plans longer-term presence
Israel announced in April that it had established what it calls the “yellow line” in southern Lebanon. The imaginary line separates an Israeli-occupied “buffer zone” from the rest of Lebanese territory and extends up to 10 kilometres into Lebanon in some areas.
Israel regards the area between the “yellow line” and the border as a “security buffer zone”. Lebanon rejects the continued presence of Israeli forces on its territory and has demanded their withdrawal.
The army is preparing to remain in the area for an extended period by establishing and completing a new line of forward positions, the report said. The preparations also include continued operations against people Israeli officials identify as members of Hezbollah.
Casualties and framework deal
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed at least 4,386 people, wounded 12,407 and displaced more than 1 million others since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities.
The latest preparations come despite a framework deal brokered by the United States and signed with Beirut in June. The agreement provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
