Israeli troops build barrier in Lebanese army-held village, Beirut calls violation of June agreement

Overnight incursion

Israeli troops entered the southern Lebanese village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya shortly after midnight on the night of Friday 7 to Saturday 8 August, advancing near the town square and erecting a new earthen barrier, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). An AFP correspondent saw the barrier blocking a road at the village's eastern entrance. Mayor Abed Ezzeddine told AFP that roughly 50 families who had returned to the village since late July were surprised to discover the barrier on Saturday morning, located around 100 metres from the town square. Local authorities said it was unclear whether any Israeli forces remained in the area. The NNA reported that the force advanced shortly after midnight and erected the barrier near the village square.

A "pilot zone" under the June agreement

Zawtar al-Gharbiya was one of two designated "pilot zones" where the Lebanese army was to take over security under a US-sponsored framework agreement signed with Israel in June in Washington. The Lebanese army deployed to the village on 21 July, and Israeli troops had previously been present on the outskirts of the village before that deployment. The deployment was part of the first phase of the framework, with the Lebanese army taking over areas from which Israeli forces had withdrawn. Under the agreement, Lebanon is meant to disarm Hezbollah while Israel is supposed to gradually pull back its forces from the south. The withdrawal is conditioned on the disarmament of the pro-Iranian movement, which refuses to disarm and is not a party to the discussions.

Lebanese condemnation and Israeli denial

A Lebanese military source confirmed the incident to AFP and described it as a violation of the framework agreement. An Israeli army spokesperson offered a different account.

“We have no knowledge of such an incident in this area.”

Despite a ceasefire in force since June, Israel continues to carry out selective strikes and building demolitions in southern Lebanon. On Saturday, NNA reported several strikes in the area, adding to the pattern of ongoing military activity despite the truce.

Stalled negotiations

Lebanon and Israel completed their seventh round of direct negotiations in Rome on Thursday. According to a source within the Lebanese presidency, the Israelis refused to designate new "pilot zones," wanting first to ensure effective control by the Lebanese army in the zones already provided for under the agreement. An Israeli official told AFP that the extension of the process was "not automatic" and would depend on observed results. No new pilot zones were designated, leaving the framework's expansion on hold.

Background of the conflict

Israel invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah reopened hostilities in early March in support of Iran, which was targeted by an Israeli-American offensive. Israeli forces continue to occupy a broad band of territory in the south along the border. The invasion and widespread bombing campaign have killed more than 4,300 people, according to Lebanon's health ministry, and displaced hundreds of thousands more. Hezbollah entered the Middle East war on the side of its sponsor Iran, prompting the Israeli invasion and the subsequent occupation of southern Lebanese territory.