The Israeli military has erected an earthen barrier in a village in southern Lebanon
Israeli troops entered the village of Zavtar al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon overnight and erected an earthen barrier that blocked the road near the eastern entrance. This was reported by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency and the village’s mayor, Abed Ezzedine, according to France 24, citing AFP.
An AFP correspondent observed the barrier at the eastern entrance to the village. Local authorities stated that they had no information on whether Israeli troops remained in the area after the barrier was erected. According to the NNA, an Israeli military unit advanced to Zavtar al-Gharbiya shortly after midnight and erected the barrier near the central square.
Ezzeddine said the barrier was discovered in the morning, about 100 meters from the square. A Lebanese military source confirmed the incident to AFP and called it a violation of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
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Zavtar al-Gharbiya is one of two designated “pilot zones” where the Lebanese Army was to assume control under a U.S.-brokered agreement signed in June. The Lebanese military deployed to the village on July 21, after which about 50 families returned there, the mayor said. Prior to the Lebanese Army’s deployment, Israeli troops were stationed on the outskirts of the village.
On Thursday, Lebanon and Israel concluded the seventh round of direct talks in Rome. According to a Lebanese source speaking to AFP, the Israeli side refused to discuss the withdrawal of troops from other areas until it was convinced that the Lebanese army had full control over the pilot zones. NNA also reported artillery shelling in southern Lebanon.
