Lebanon Conflict Sees Israeli Barrier Built in Army-Controlled Village
In the Lebanon conflict, Israeli troops infiltrated the Lebanese village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, which is under Lebanese army control as a pilot zone in a US-sponsored June framework agreement, and built an earthen barrier there overnight.
Israeli Incursion into Zawtar al-Gharbiya
Israeli troops infiltrated the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya shortly after midnight and erected a new earthen barrier near the town square. [1] An AFP correspondent saw the barrier, which is situated at the village’s eastern entrance and blocks the road. [2] Local authorities stated it was unclear if any Israeli forces remained in the area. [1] Mayor Abed Ezzeddine said residents were surprised to see the barrier in the morning, located around 100 metres from the town square. [3] Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli occupation army force advanced into the village and erected the barrier. [5] The Israeli military told AFP it was not aware of such an event in this area. [3]
Context of the US-Sponsored Framework Agreement
Zawtar al-Gharbiya was one of two designated pilot zones where the Lebanese army was to take over as part of a US-sponsored framework agreement signed with Israel. [2] Under the June agreement, Lebanon is meant to disarm Hezbollah while Israel is supposed to gradually pull back its forces. [5] Beirut’s army deployed to Zawtar al-Gharbiya on July 21, and around 50 families have since returned to the village, mayor Abed Ezzeddine said. [1] Israeli troops had been present on the outskirts of the village before the deployment. [5] The village is one of two pilot zones where the Lebanese army is deploying under the US-sponsored framework agreement signed with Israel on June 26. [3]
Israeli troops erect earthen barrier in Lebanese village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya overnight. — Source: middleeasteye
Lebanese Military Response and Casualties
A Lebanese military source called the move a violation of the framework accord. [3] The Lebanese army reported that three soldiers were wounded, one of them moderately, while dismantling unexploded ordnance in Zawtar al-Gharbiya on Saturday. [1] Hours earlier, the village mayor and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli troops had entered and built an earth barrier overnight. [3] Separately, the Israeli military said a soldier was wounded in southern Lebanon on Saturday after being hit by shrapnel from Israeli fire in the border village of Tayri. [4] The soldier sustained moderate injuries in an operational incident and was evacuated to hospital for treatment. [3]
Ongoing Violations and Regional Incidents
Israel had escalated the pace of its attacks over the past few days in parallel with negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv in Rome. [3] The nearby town of Mansouri was shelled by Israeli artillery on Saturday and had effectively remained sealed off by gunfire, with residents unable to return after evacuation orders and intermittent shelling. [3] A bulldozer clearing roads in Mansouri had been damaged by a bomb explosion the day before. [3] Israeli bulldozing occurred in occupied Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh towards the Ali al-Taher area of Nabatieh al-Fawqa. [3] There were two drone strikes on open ground in Mayfadoun and continued ground incursions in Kfar Shouba in the Hasbaya district and Haddatha in Bint Jbeil district. [3] Villages along the line of contact had become uninhabitable, among them Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Mansouri. [3] The NNA on Saturday reported artillery shelling in southern Lebanon. [1]
Lebanese soldiers injured during Israeli troop incursion into southern village Zawtar al-Gharbiya. — Source: aljazeera
Status of Negotiations and Ceasefire
Lebanon and Israel had just completed their seventh round of direct negotiations in Rome on Thursday. [1] A Lebanese source said the Israelis refused to discuss withdrawing from more areas before making sure Beirut’s military had full control over the pilot zones. [5] President Joseph Aoun said Beirut had made positive progress on border and prisoner issues. [3] Hezbollah rejects the deal and refuses to surrender its weapons. [1] Israel still carries out intermittent strikes on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire in place since June. [5] Lebanon is holding firm on the ceasefire and pressing Israel to halt the destruction of border villages while preparing for a new round of talks in September. [3]
Broader Impact of the Conflict
Israeli forces continue to occupy a broad band of territory in the south along the border. [2] Israel invaded south Lebanon after Hezbollah entered the Middle East war on the side of Iran in March. [5] Its invasion and widespread bombing campaign have killed more than 4,300 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, and displaced hundreds of thousands more. [1]
What to watch next: Lebanon and Israel are preparing for a new round of US-mediated talks in September after the seventh round concluded in Rome on Thursday, with Beirut continuing to press for an end to destruction in border villages while holding to the June ceasefire terms.
