ISTANBUL
The Israeli army is preparing to enter a new phase of fighting in southern Lebanon in the coming days, Israeli media reported on Friday.
The report comes as the army continues its attacks in southern Lebanon, in violation of a US-brokered framework deal signed with Beirut in June.
The army will reorganize its forces in what it called the “yellow zone,” including reducing and redeploying troops stationed along the line, Israel’s Channel 12 said.
In April, Tel Aviv announced it established what it calls the “yellow line” in southern Lebanon. It is an imaginary line separating an Israeli-occupied “buffer zone” from the rest of Lebanese territory, extending up to 10 km (around 6.2 miles) into Lebanon in certain sections.
Israel considers the area between the “yellow line” and the border a “security buffer zone,” while Lebanon rejects the continued presence of Israeli forces on its territory and insists on their withdrawal.
According to the outlet, the army is preparing to remain in the area for an extended period by establishing and completing a new line of forward positions.
The preparations also include continuing operations against what Israeli officials claim are Hezbollah members, the report said.
The Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed at least 4,386 people, wounded 12,407 and displaced more than 1 million others since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities.
The attack comes despite the June framework deal that provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
