Israeli Army Builds New Permanent Military Post in Southern Lebanon

Israeli army doctor from the Hiram 769 Brigade in southern Lebanon. (Source: IDF)

Israel - The Israeli army has begun building a new permanent military outpost in southern Lebanon to strengthen its presence in the region, according to an Israeli daily report Maariv on Thursday.

Citing an unnamed source, the newspaper said the new permanent position was part of the army's efforts to strengthen its foothold in southern Lebanon, without providing further details on its location, quoted from Anadolu (17/7).

This reported move comes despite a US announcement after talks in Rome between Lebanese and Israeli officials that ended Wednesday, in which the two sides agreed on a framework and guidelines for Israel's withdrawal from two pilot areas in southern Lebanon.

According to Maariv, this move could increase tensions between Tel Aviv and Washington amid differences of opinion regarding Israel's military presence in Lebanon.

The newspaper also said US President Donald Trump was pressing Israel to begin withdrawing from Lebanon and Syria as part of a broader regional vision, amid pressure from some countries.

Lebanon and Israel signed a US-mediated framework agreement on June 26, which governs Israel's gradual withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territory, starting with a pilot model in two areas that have not been made public.

The agreement does not set a timetable for the withdrawal, linking its completion to the assumption of full security responsibility by the Lebanese army in the evacuated areas and the disarmament of armed groups, referring to Hezbollah.

The Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed at least 4,324 people, injured 12,223 others, and displaced more than 1 million people since last March, according to official Lebanese figures.

Israel continues to occupy territory in southern Lebanon, some of which has been controlled for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war.