Israeli troops entered the southern Lebanese village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya shortly after midnight and built a new earthen embankment near the village square, according to official Lebanese media and local Mayor Abed Ezzeddine. An AFP correspondent confirmed seeing the barrier closing a road at the eastern entrance of the village.
An Israeli army spokesperson told AFP that the military was unaware of any such incident in the area. However, a Lebanese military source told AFP that the advance was a violation of the framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel in late June under Washington's auspices.
The Lebanese army deployed to Zawtar al-Gharbiya in July as part of an initial pilot zone after Israeli forces evacuated its surroundings under the accord. About 50 families have returned to the village since late July, and Mayor Ezzeddine told AFP that residents were surprised to find the embankment this morning. In a separate incident in the same village, the Lebanese army stated that three soldiers were injured while clearing unexploded ordnance.
Framework agreement and negotiations
The June agreement outlines the deployment of the Lebanese army and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Israeli troops have partially occupied the region since early March, when pro-Iranian Hezbollah resumed hostilities in support of Tehran following an Israeli-American attack on Iran. Israel has conditioned its withdrawal on the disarmament of Hezbollah, which refuses to disarm and is not participating in talks.
Lebanon and Israel concluded their seventh round of negotiations on Thursday. A Lebanese presidential source told AFP that Israeli negotiators refused to set new pilot zones, wanting first to ensure effective control by the Lebanese army in the initial areas. An Israeli official told AFP that expanding the process is not automatic and will depend on observed results.
Despite a ceasefire in effect since June, Israel continues to conduct precision strikes and demolish buildings in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that new strikes occurred in the country today.
