A BBC team reported on the Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, particularly near the border with Israel. The area, characterized by abandoned crops and destroyed buildings from Israeli air strikes, is largely deserted. A Lebanese military checkpoint near Naqoura marks the last sign of the state's presence, while Israeli flags indicate the start of occupied territory, which is inaccessible without Israeli authorization.
This region is significant for Lebanon's Shia Muslim community, which largely supports Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia. The Israeli military has conducted three invasions in the last two decades, with the most recent conflict beginning in March following Hezbollah's rocket fire into Israel after the killing of the Iranian supreme leader.
Last month, the BBC joined a UN peacekeeping mission, known as Unifil, to visit areas under Israeli control. The Israeli military has reportedly flattened entire villages, and air strikes have continued even after a ceasefire was announced in June. The convoy, led by Finnish troops, escorted civilians to Christian villages that were not targeted during the conflict.
The land currently controlled by Israel constitutes about 5% of Lebanese territory, extending up to 10 kilometers from the border. Observations included Israeli soldiers' movements and residential buildings used by them, some protected from Hezbollah's drones. Israeli surveillance drones and distant explosions were also noted.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the military is preparing for a long-term presence in the area, aiming to establish a security zone to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah's attacks. Unifil reported that the Israeli military has set up four new bases, increasing the total to nine, and has been fortifying positions and constructing protective infrastructure.
Human rights groups have raised concerns that Israel's actions may constitute the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, potentially amounting to war crimes. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced, uncertain about their return.
The Israeli military claimed that destroyed buildings were used by Hezbollah for military purposes and stated that its operations comply with international law. However, it did not address specific inquiries regarding its actions in occupied areas.
Since a preliminary deal between the US and Iran aimed at reducing conflict, Lebanese military officials reported over 5,000 violations by Israel, including air strikes and incursions beyond the occupied territory. The Israeli military justifies its actions as responses to immediate threats, although the nature of these threats is often unclear.
Hezbollah has not attacked Israel since the ceasefire but has targeted Israeli troops in Lebanese territory. Israeli officials have linked withdrawal from Lebanon to Hezbollah's disarmament, a condition the Lebanese government cannot fulfill without Hezbollah's agreement. The situation remains stagnant, with no significant changes expected before the upcoming Israeli elections.
A European diplomat noted that the concept of 'pilot zones' appears to be stalled, suggesting a potential escalation similar to the situation in Gaza, with Israeli forces entrenching their position in southern Lebanon.