Most dangerous countries see Israeli forces expand occupation across 5% of southern Lebanon
In the most dangerous countries, Israeli forces continue to expand their military presence and carry out operations in southern Lebanon, while conducting arrests and attacks in the West Bank and Gaza, as part of ongoing regional conflicts that also include escalated Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia and clashes in Yemen.
Israeli Expansion in Southern Lebanon
The strip of land currently controlled by Israel constitutes around 5% of Lebanese territory and, in some places, extends 10km from the border. [3] Israeli forces have established four new bases in occupied southern Lebanon, bringing the total to nine, and are consolidating positions with engineering works even after a June ceasefire. [3] A BBC team joined a humanitarian mission of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as Unifil, which is one of the only ways to visit the area under Israeli control. [3] Driving along the wall that separates the two countries, observers saw service roads built by Israel after the invasion, intense movement of Israeli soldiers and residential buildings that were being used by them. [3] Some were covered in netting to protect them from Hezbollah's explosive drones. [3] Explosions were heard in the distance, possibly from demolitions being carried out by Israel in villages that are under occupation. [3] In a visit to occupied southern Lebanon last month, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the military to take all necessary steps to prepare for a long-term presence in the area. [3] According to Unifil, the Israeli military has established four new bases in the invaded areas, bringing the number of such positions to nine. [3] Israeli forces had remained in five points after invading southern Lebanon during the previous war against Hezbollah in 2024, in violation of the deal that ended that conflict. [3] In the past months, consolidation and fortification of Israeli positions, construction of protective infrastructure, and other engineering works have been observed. [3] Lebanese intelligence has recorded more than 5,000 violations of the June deal by Israel, including air strikes, drone attacks, shelling and near-daily incursions of Israeli soldiers into Lebanese territory beyond the area under occupation. [3]
Arrests and Restrictions on Gaza Fishermen
On Tuesday, Israeli naval forces arrested 10 fishermen off the coast of al-Zawayda in central Gaza and Sheikh Ajlin, southwest of Gaza City, according to the Union of Fishermen's Committees. [1] The number of Palestinian fishermen arrested by Israel since the Israeli genocidal war began on October 2023 had reached about 150. [1] The fishing sector had suffered direct losses of about 120 million US dollars, with around 95 per cent of its infrastructure damaged or destroyed through bombardment, fires and the destruction of fishing equipment. [1] Around 4,000 fishermen in Gaza work on more than 700 boats, while around 70,000 people rely on fishing and the sale of fish for income. [1] Israeli forces opened fire on the fishermen's boats before taking the detainees to the Israeli port of Ashdod. [1] Seven of the fishermen were later released, while three remained detained at an unknown location at the time of reporting. [1] The arrests were part of broader restrictions and violations affecting Gaza's fishing sector, including the destruction of boats and fishing equipment and restrictions on access to fishing areas. [1] The ceasefire had failed to provide meaningful protection for fishermen, as restrictions and attacks continued. [1]
West Bank Raids and Detentions
Israeli forces detained 12 Palestinians in overnight raids across the West Bank, with occupiers burning two vehicles. [2] Israel conducts overnight raids in Nablus, Bethlehem, Tubas as Israeli occupier attacks continue. [2]
Ukraine Warns Airlines Over Russian Airspace
Ukraine is escalating drone operations deep inside Russia, prompting President Zelensky to warn airlines that Russian airspace is becoming completely dangerous due to the increased presence of drones. [4] Volodymyr Zelensky says the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous. [4] Ukraine's president has told airlines that Russian airspace will be effectively closing as his country escalates its drone strikes. [4] We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous, Volodymyr Zelensky says. [4] Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such - not a single civilian aircraft. There will simply be drones in Russia's skies on a scale that has to be taken into account, he said in his nightly video address on Tuesday. [4] Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by saying that Zelensky's comments amounted to a declaration of state terrorism, while adding that Russia would continue its own intensifying attacks on Ukraine. [4] They are asking us to resume negotiations but you don't negotiate with terrorists, Putin said. [4] Russia's attacks on Ukraine continue, with heavy strikes killing 12 people on Monday. [4] The military has said it is preparing to carry out massive strikes on Ukrainian power stations. [4]
Clashes in Yemen
Four Yemeni government troops were killed in fighting with Houthis. [5] National Resistance Forces say 4 naval personnel killed confronting Houthi activity without specifying where, when fighting took place. [5]
Broader Regional Impact
Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced, without knowing when, or if, they will be able to return. [3] The restrictions have affected not only fishermen but also thousands of people who depend directly or indirectly on fishing for their livelihoods. [1] Aviation risk advisory firm Osprey Flight Solutions said in an alert to clients that while the majority of Ukraine's drone and missile strikes were likely to occur within 300km of the border, daily attacks deeper inside Russia were almost certain to continue this year. [4] There is also a realistic possibility that the frequency of Ukrainian strikes will continue to increase in the short term deep inside Russian territory. [4] It is assessed that miscalculation and/or misidentification is likely in areas related to the Ukraine conflict. [4]
What to watch next: The plan for pilot zones in Lebanon has seen no progress, and there is no expectation of any significant change before the Israeli election at the end of October.
