An Israeli drone struck an area between Kfar Tebnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon on Friday, while intermittent artillery shelling was reported on the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
The latest attacks come as the Israeli army prepares for what Israeli media described as a new phase of fighting in southern Lebanon, raising further questions over Israel’s adherence to a US-brokered framework deal with Beirut signed in June.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, the army plans to reorganize its forces in what it calls the “yellow zone,” including reducing and redeploying troops positioned along the line.
The developments follow Israel’s continued military incursion in southern Lebanon despite the June framework deal, which calls for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that the army is preparing to maintain a long-term presence in the area by establishing and completing a new line of forward positions.
The preparations reportedly include continued operations against people Israeli officials identify as Hezbollah members.
Israeli regime announced in April that it had established what it calls the “yellow line” in southern Lebanon, describing it as an imaginary boundary separating an Israeli-occupied “buffer zone” from the rest of Lebanese territory.
The line extends up to 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles) into Lebanon in some areas.
Lebanon rejects the continued presence of Israeli forces on its territory and has demanded their withdrawal.
The latest reported drone strike and artillery shelling therefore come amid an increasingly entrenched Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, despite the framework intended to facilitate a gradual withdrawal.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israel’s offensive in Lebanon has killed at least 4,386 people, wounded 12,407 and displaced more than 1 million others since March 2.