Israel steps up operations beyond yellow line in southern Lebanon — Asharq Al-Awsat
In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces have stepped up operations in localities beyond the so-called yellow line, including demolishing residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, this line marks a security zone established by Israel, which in some areas extends 12 kilometers into Lebanese territory.
In recent weeks, destruction has been recorded in Mansouri, Bouyout al-Sayyad and Majdal Zoun in the west, as well as in Baraachit, Beit Yahoun, Hadatha, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit. Air and artillery strikes have also spread to Kfar Roummane, the Jabal al-Rafi heights near Nabatieh, Aita al-Jabal and Wadi Zibqin.
Assessment by Lebanese sources
A security source in southern Lebanon told the publication that the destruction of localities outside the yellow line may indicate Israel's intention to maintain a long-term presence in the areas it controls. According to the source, the territory adjacent to this line is being turned into a scorched zone that could effectively become an additional buffer strip.
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The source also claims that these actions are intended to force residents to leave their homes and make it more difficult for Hezbollah to monitor Israeli military movements. It suggested that the operations could facilitate the rapid advance of Israeli forces into other territories should an appropriate political decision be made.
Destruction and shelling
According to sources from Mansouri, in June Israeli forces ordered residents to leave the locality by dropping leaflets warning of danger. After the ceasefire, 37 families returned there, but since then more than 130 incidents of destruction have occurred there, according to local sources. They said that Israeli tanks and military vehicles enter Mansouri almost daily, placing explosives in buildings and cutting down trees.
Hadatha and Beit Yahoun, according to local sources, were completely emptied after Israeli raids and daily shelling, while Baraachit is now almost deserted. On Saturday, Israeli artillery shelled Wadi al-Slouki near Shaqra and the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiya. Jabal al-Rafi, Rihan and the outskirts of Sejoud were also hit by airstrikes, while Mansouri, Majdal Zoun and Wadi Hassan were shelled in the western sector.
