The National: Israel expands military presence in South Lebanon

Israeli forces are operating from nearly 30 military positions across southern Lebanon, including eight fortified bases, according to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), highlighting an expanding Israeli military presence in Lebanese territory.

Speaking to The National, UNIFIL spokeswoman Kandice Ardiel said Israeli forces had previously maintained a presence at five fortified positions close to and north of the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated boundary separating Lebanon from Israel and the occupied Golan Heights.

“Before the escalation in March of this year, the [Israeli army] had a presence in five fortified positions close to and north of the Blue Line. This year, we have observed three new fortified positions north of the Blue Line,” Ardiel said.

The five older bases were established during the Hezbollah-Israel conflict in 2024, while three additional fortified positions were created in Khiam, Maroun El Ras and Maiss El Jabal after fighting resumed between Hezbollah and Israel amid the wider US-Iran war.

On March 2, Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the report, prompting another Israeli military operation in southern Lebanon.

The fortified positions include purpose-built walls and earthen berms, as well as observation posts and access roads constructed through the terrain.

UNIFIL has also observed about 20 other ad hoc Israeli military positions within a security buffer zone maintained by Israel across southern Lebanon. The zone extends up to 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory.

Unlike the fortified bases, troops move in and out of these temporary positions, often using existing infrastructure such as homes or other buildings.

Ardiel said UNIFIL peacekeepers continued to observe Israeli forces “in dozens of locations, though it is unclear how long they remain in any given place”.

The expansion of fortified bases and temporary positions comes as US-brokered negotiations seek to secure an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Under the proposed arrangement, Hezbollah would disarm and the Lebanese army would assume control of the area.

By Sabina Mammadli