Lebanon · 27 July, 2026 · 3 min read
Israeli Forces Shell Southern Lebanon as Trump Backs Phased IDF Withdrawal Under Hezbollah Disarmament Deal
Israeli artillery and drone strikes hit southern Lebanon as framework deployment proceeds. Direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are conducted in Washington under the US framework.
US/Israel describe framework as a conditions-based redeployment bargain.
8 of 9 outlets skipped it: third-party monitoring role proposed for US forces..
The Jerusalem Post was read line by line by the Watchdog: 4.4. See the score →
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The Jerusalem Post
“Israel will redeploy its forces from Lebanese territory in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah”Read the original ↗
Anadolu, CBS17 and Shafaq emphasise war-crimes and demolitions; JPost foregrounds the bargain.
Framework, withdrawal, and strikes
The Trump administration supports a phased IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon under a framework deal tied to Hezbollah disarmament, with senior US officials telling The Jerusalem Post that “Israel will redeploy its forces from Lebanese territory in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah.”
“Israel will redeploy its forces from Lebanese territory in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah”
On Monday, Shafaq News said Israeli forces struck several towns in southern Lebanon with artillery fire and drone-launched munitions as the Lebanese army advanced its first deployment under the framework agreement, directing artillery fire at the Ali al-Taher area in Nabatiyeh district and on the outskirts of the town of Shebaa.
Shafaq News also reported that in Markaba, Qantara, Majdal Zoun, Der Seryen, al-Taybeh, Aitharoun and Mansouri, Israeli forces carried out demolitions in residential neighborhoods, with successive explosions heard in the areas.
The same Shafaq News report said the Lebanese army continued its deployment in Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya, designated as the pilot zones under the framework agreement.
In Beirut and southern suburbs, Anadolu Ajansı reported that Israeli drones flew over the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs while artillery shelling targeted areas in southern Lebanon, including Markaba, with fires reported on the outskirts of Tallouseh and Markaba in Marjayoun district.
Aoun, Türk, and Hezbollah
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk that Israel’s destruction of homes and bulldozing of villages in southern Lebanon constitutes “a direct violation of human rights and a clear breach of international laws and norms,” and he said Lebanon “will not accept the continued violation of the agreement’s provisions.”
Türk, speaking to The Associated Press as he wrapped up a visit to Lebanon, said “Demolition of this type raises huge flags about compliance with international humanitarian law,” describing what has happened as a “wholesale destruction” of civilian homes.
Hezbollah rejected the direct talks and said it will not disarm, while ABNA English quoted Hassan Ezzeddine of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” parliamentary bloc saying Washington has conditioned guarantees to Lebanon on the resolution of the Hezbollah file and the monopolization of weapons by official institutions.
ABNA English also quoted Ezzeddine criticizing the process of negotiations and security agreements between Lebanon and the United States, claiming Lebanese officials entered the path without achieving any tangible results.
In the same reporting cycle, The Associated Press said Israel has said its attacks target Hezbollah personnel and infrastructure, and it accuses the group of hiding among civilians while its troops in occupied parts of southern Lebanon have revealed weapons warehouses and tunnel networks.
Next talks and what’s at risk
Attention is now focused on the seventh round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations scheduled to take place in Rome on Aug. 4 under US sponsorship, with Lebanon expecting the talks to indicate Israel’s commitment to the framework agreement and its security arrangements.
“The agreement must be implemented because it carries the signature of the United States”
News of Bahrain reported that Beirut urges Washington to ensure implementation of the border agreement as tensions rise in southern Lebanon, and it said a senior Lebanese official quoted President Trump instructing US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to contact Netanyahu and encourage Israeli cooperation on the withdrawal process in line with the framework agreement.
The same report said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told Volker Türk that Israel’s continued demolition of homes and bulldozing of villages represented “a direct violation of human rights and a clear breach of international laws and norms,” and it added that Aoun warned Israeli actions could undermine the framework’s effectiveness.
Arab News PK said Lebanese political and military officials have expressed frustration over Israeli actions since implementation began in the first pilot zone in the town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiyah, and it cited Aoun saying Lebanon remains committed to implementing the framework agreement but fears Israeli practices could undermine its effectiveness.
In parallel, ABNA English framed the dispute as part of a broader effort to disarm the resistance, with Hassan Ezzeddine concluding that the resistance will continue its path until the full liberation of occupied territories.