IDF reveals forward defence line in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military has released a map of a new deployment line in southern Lebanon, bringing dozens of villages into its control zone just days after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect.
In its statement, the Israeli military referred for the first time to a “Yellow Line” in Lebanon, describing it as a self-declared buffer zone similar to arrangements imposed in Gaza following the war that began in October 2023.
It also outlined what it called a “Forward Defence Zone”, where Israeli forces are now operating with the stated aim of preventing “direct threats” to northern Israeli communities.
According to the military, five divisions along with naval forces are currently deployed south of the line, working to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. The move effectively expands Israel’s presence inside Lebanese territory, with villages falling inside the newly defined zone.
The development has raised fresh questions about the durability of the ceasefire and whether the establishment of such a buffer risks entrenching Israel’s military footprint rather than easing tensions along the border.
Image: Graphic showing the Israeli-declared new “Yellow Line” and the buffer zone. Source: IDF, Reuters and GraphicNews.
