Israel fortifies occupied strip in southern Lebanon as villages lie in ruins

The Israeli military has consolidated positions in a coastal strip of southern Lebanon, occupying roughly 5% of Lebanese territory near Naqoura, where UN peacekeepers escorted civilians and found extensive destruction and abandoned farmland, Unifil and on-site reporting say.

Driving along the separation wall, UN peacekeepers and reporters observed service roads, multiple Israeli bases and residential buildings repurposed for military use, with some structures covered in netting to guard against explosive drones. Unifil reported the establishment of four new bases in the invaded areas, bringing the total number of Israeli positions to nine.

An Unifil spokeswoman, Kandice Ardiel, said observers had seen consolidation and fortification of Israeli positions, construction of protective infrastructure, and apparent civilian demolition and engineering activity supporting military efforts. The Israeli military told reporters the destroyed buildings had been used by Hezbollah for military purposes and that its operations complied with international law.

Along the coast near the Lebanese checkpoint at Naqoura, soldiers remained behind concrete barriers while the road to the south led into territory marked with Israeli flags and restricted access. The occupied strip extends in places up to 10km from the border and includes villages that have been flattened by air strikes and demolitions, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced, according to humanitarian and rights groups cited by reporters.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

UNIFIL observations indicate increased Israeli military entrenchment, with newly fortified positions and engineering works in the occupied areas. Officials and local sources report ongoing demolitions and movement that limit civilian return to damaged villages. Israeli officials link actions to threats from Hezbollah and describe deployments as security measures, while Lebanese authorities and local intelligence record numerous violations of the ceasefire by Israeli operations.

Hezbollah has not carried out attacks since the ceasefire took effect, and Israeli statements tie potential withdrawal to the militia’s disarmament, a condition the Lebanese government cannot enforce without the group’s agreement. Talks on limited redeployments and pilot zones have been discussed but show no immediate progress, and international mediators have sought verification mechanisms tied to those arrangements.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Israeli forces occupy a coastal strip in southern Lebanon covering about 5% of the country, extending in places up to 10km from the border.
• UNIFIL documented the construction of protective infrastructure and four new Israeli bases, bringing total positions to nine in the invaded areas.
• Villages in the occupied zone have been heavily damaged or flattened, and hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced.

Kaynak: BBC