Israel seeks to impose “yellow line” in South Lebanon amid ongoing operations: The details

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar

Israel is attempting to impose what it describes as a “yellow line” in southern Lebanon by establishing a new reality on the ground to improve its negotiating position.

The line extends from Ras al-Naqoura and includes dozens of villages and towns, reaching areas such as Shamaa, Aita al-Shaab, Maroun al-Ras, Bint Jbeil, Aainata, Markaba, Odaisseh, Deir Seryan, and the outskirts of Khiam.

According to Israel, the line is intended to create a buffer zone that provides more favorable defensive conditions. Anyone approaching the area risks being fired upon.

In this zone, the Israeli army is working to establish an organized mechanism to achieve its objectives. Military operations include the use of engineering equipment in villages being demolished within the area, aimed not only at pushing Hezbollah fighters out but also at preventing them from carrying out flanking maneuvers or attacks against Israeli forces that have resulted in daily casualties.

Despite the ceasefire, which Israel considers fragile, it continues to adhere to what it describes as a principle of “defense rather than offense,” maintaining ongoing operations under that framework.

Meanwhile, the Israeli security cabinet is set to meet Sunday evening to discuss how to continue operations in Lebanon and the possibility of extending the ceasefire.

While Israel’s objective of imposing the so-called “yellow line” as a buffer zone is becoming clearer, its intentions in the area between that line and the Litani River remain unclear, as it seeks to establish new conditions in the event the ceasefire is extended.