Key facts
- Israel published a map showing an expanded zone of control in southern Lebanon.
- The expansion defies a US-Iran memorandum of understanding calling for an end to fighting.
- Israeli forces have advanced approximately 10km into Lebanese territory.
- Recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
- US President Donald Trump criticized Israel's conduct and suggested Syria should engage Hezbollah.
The Israeli army released a map on Thursday detailing a significant expansion of its zone of control and military operations in southern Lebanon, a move that appears to defy a recently signed memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran aimed at halting hostilities.
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which concluded the US-Israel war on Iran, explicitly calls for an "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon" and guarantees Lebanon's territorial integrity. However, Israel has not withdrawn its troops from southern Lebanon and continues its military actions.
The newly published map indicates that Israeli forces are operating several kilometers deeper into Lebanese territory than previously understood, with troops having occupied these areas for weeks. The expanded zone, marked in dark red, extends approximately 10km into Lebanese land and maritime territory along the "Yellow Line," encompassing eight additional villages.
Recent Israeli actions in Lebanon have resulted in casualties. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an Israeli drone attack near Kfar Tebnit killed two people, and another strike in Zebdine killed one. Two individuals were wounded by an Israeli drone munition in Beit Yahoun. Since the commencement of the US-Israel war on Iran, at least 3,826 people have been killed and over 11,800 wounded in Lebanon.
Discussions are reportedly ongoing between Israel and the Trump administration regarding the continued deployment of Israeli troops in Lebanese territory, with an Israeli official close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Israel would not withdraw from the area south of the Litani River. The outcome of these negotiations may depend on whether President Trump decides to impose consequences if Israel fails to adhere to the MoU.
President Trump has publicly criticized Israel's conduct in Lebanon, expressing irritation with the heavy-handed approach and the high number of civilian casualties. He stated that "too many people have been killed" and suggested that Israel's tactics were disproportionate, questioning the necessity of destroying apartment buildings when not all residents are Hezbollah members. Trump also controversially suggested that Syria should invade Lebanon to combat Hezbollah, implying that Syrian forces could be more effective than Israel in dealing with the group.