The Israeli military has begun constructing a series of permanent military posts in southern Lebanon, according to reports from the Israeli daily Maariv. The expansion of fixed infrastructure occurs alongside continued offensive operations, including recent drone strikes in the Nabatieh district and the town of Choukin.
These developments contradict the spirit of a June 26 US-brokered framework, which outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from designated pilot zones in southern Lebanon. While officials in Rome recently reaffirmed the guidelines for this withdrawal, the establishment of new observation posts in the Bint Jbeil and Tyre districts suggests a hardening of Israel’s military footprint rather than a transition toward a Lebanese Army-led security model.
The ongoing operations continue to carry a significant humanitarian toll. Official Lebanese figures report that since March, Israeli strikes have resulted in at least 4,324 deaths, 12,223 injuries, and the displacement of over 1 million people. US President Donald Trump has reportedly pressured Israeli leadership to accelerate the withdrawal process, citing the need for a broader regional stabilization strategy. However, with no fixed timetable established for the departure of forces, the future of the withdrawal agreement remains uncertain.