Ceasefire under fire: Israel adapts "yellow line" strategy in South Lebanon

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

Israel has extended a military model it previously applied in Gaza to South Lebanon, establishing what it calls a "yellow line" to reinforce its security along the northern front.

Israeli military officials describe the line as a key security buffer. It is expected to include villages that Israeli forces have entered and are in the process of destroying, with plans to establish military positions within them.

According to Israeli military sources cited by army radio, the plan tied to the ceasefire involves setting up what is also referred to as an anti-tank missile line. This zone would stretch several kilometers inside Lebanese territory—ranging from a few kilometers up to around 10 kilometers—and encompass roughly 55 villages whose residents would not be allowed to return.

The plan also mentioned continued operations during the ceasefire to dismantle infrastructure linked to Hezbollah.

As for Hezbollah fighters who remain in areas now considered within this buffer zone—particularly in towns such as Bint Jbeil—Israeli officials say they would be given the option to surrender or face targeted strikes once located.

Israeli army radio reported that troops have been instructed to strike any identified threats based on intelligence gathered by drones that continue to operate over South Lebanon.

Despite the escalation in tactics, Israeli military assessments cited in the report conclude that achieving long-term calm along the northern border ultimately depends on reaching a political agreement, rather than relying solely on continued rounds of fighting.