As Talks End, Israel Again Steps Up Strikes Against Southern, Eastern Lebanon

Two days of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Florida has concluded without any meaningful deal . Given how little the last seven deals between the two sides actually accomplished, the fact they weren’t able to come to even a token agreement is really saying something. Compounding the failure of these talks, no date was yet agreed for any additional talks. Sources said the US was planning to issue a statement, citing Lebanese demands for reciprocity and Israeli refusals to change their position. Either way, the talks are on hold, for now, and Israel is back to scaling up the strikes on southern Lebanon, and extending the occupied zone deeper beyond the Yellow Line. Explosions were reported in Ain al-Samahiyah and near Zawtar ash-Sharqiyah, while widespread demolition was said to be ongoing in Kfar Tebnit. Airstrikes were reported in Kfar Tebnit and Haddatha. Map of Yellow Line zone | Image from Wikimedia CC 4.0 Further east, Israeli forces started shelling of Habbariyeh , just north of the disputed Shebaa Farms. Tanks were also reported advancing into the area, around Nabeh Khokh. This is noteworthy because it’s meaningfully north of the Yellow Line Israel established during their March invasion. As the war drags on, Israel is increasingly focused on areas beyond the Yellow Line, though this is further east than most such deeper incursions. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has recently referred to the area within the Yellow Line as a “ permanent security zone ” which Israel intends to occupy going forward, but he’s also threatened to extend that zone deeper into Lebanon on various pretexts. Israel has destroyed some 60 towns and villages within the Yellow Line area so far during the war, overwhelmingly Shi’ite majority villages. With so much of the area destroyed outright, the expansion of Israel’s focus outside of the line may simply reflect a lack of meaningful targets within the area. If you liked this article, please support Antiwar.com. We are 100% reader-supported.