A Lebanese politician has condemned Israeli operations and its occupation of the so-called "Yellow Line" buffer zone in southern Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire between the two sides which is also preventing displaced residents from returning to their homes.
Despite Israel and Lebanon agreeing last Thursday to a three-week extension of an original 10-day ceasefire deal which began between in mid-April, deadly Israeli strikes have continued to hit southern parts of Lebanon.
Controversy has arisen over the Israeli military's efforts to extend the territories it occupies in southern Lebanon as part of what it terms as a "security buffer zone" along the border.
Lebanese residents have been warned against returning to their homes within this area, with Israel announcing that anyone who approaches this so-called "Yellow Line" will be considered a threat.
Melhem Khalaf, a member of the Lebanese Parliament, has condemned this so-called "Yellow Line" as an illegal product of Israeli aggression that must be immediately dismantled.
"This so-called 'Yellow Line' or buffer zone is nothing but the result of continuous Israeli attacks, imposed by force to create an occupation that must be ended immediately," he said.
The current situation comes after the Lebanese government and Israel held their first direct negotiations in many years in Washington earlier this month. Despite these diplomatic efforts, multiple indicators show Israel appears to be pushing new security arrangements that would allow it to maintain a long-term military presence and on-the-ground influence in southern Lebanon, a prospect that has been declared unacceptable by Lebanese authorities.
"The Lebanese people are clear in their position. The land is precious, and not a single inch of it, whether soil or water, can be compromised under any pretext or justification. From this standpoint, we must clearly emphasize, in accordance with international law, the necessity of ending the occupation and demanding its withdrawal. The state must be at the forefront of this path, whether through peaceful or other means, so that expelling the occupation from our land becomes a top priority that cannot be delayed," Khalaf said.
Some analysts believe Israel is promoting a narrative to justify its continued presence in southern Lebanon and seeks to make its "buffer zone" as a permanent reality, especially in the event the ceasefire officially collapses.
Dr. Bahaa Hallak, a military expert and retired brigadier general in the Lebanese army, noted that Israel has not yet established comprehensive operational control over the territory.
"To date, there is no full operational control over the land. The evidence is that current control is limited to specific points or linear extensions aimed at reaching specific locations, not full geographical control. Second, the management of the land through military centers or fire management centers is not fully established but is limited to some villages adjacent to the border, and still does not see full control or administration. Third, and most importantly, is the attempt to prevent the enemy, meaning the resistance, from returning to these sites. However, we noted that Hezbollah is still fighting in Bint Jbeil, confirming that the confrontation continues and control over the ground remains undecided," he said.
Lebanese politician condemns Israeli military moves as "Yellow Line" blocks return of residents
