Israel’s military said on Saturday it has created a new demarcation in southern Lebanon, referred to as a “Yellow Line”, and confirmed carrying out strikes against what it described as militant threats near its forces.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the line serves as an operational boundary, similar to one used in Gaza. This is the first time the military has publicly referenced such a line in Lebanon since the recent ceasefire came into effect.
According to the IDF, troops identified individuals approaching from north of the line in a manner deemed threatening. “Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces operating south of the Yellow Line in southern Lebanon identified terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces from north of the Yellow Line in a manner that
posed an immediate threat,” it said.
The military said it responded with force. “In order to eliminate the threat… forces attacked the terrorists in several areas,” it added, emphasising that it retains the authority to act against risks. “Actions taken in self-defence and to remove immediate threats are not restricted by the ceasefire,” the statement said.
Later, the IDF said its air force targeted a “terrorist cell” near its troops. “The IDF eliminated a terrorist cell operating in proximity to IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon, in the area of the forward defence line,” it said, without specifying casualties.
It also reported additional strikes: “Additionally, the IDF struck an underground shaft in the area south of the forward defence line, as well as Hezbollah terrorists who were identified entering it. A hit was identified.”
The development comes days after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire aimed at creating space for talks to end weeks of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The fighting, which began on March 2, has caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanon, with Lebanese officials reporting around 2,300 deaths.
Despite the truce, tensions remain high. Hezbollah has paused its operations but warned it is prepared to respond if Israel violates the agreement.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for direct talks with Israel to stabilise the situation, saying efforts are focused on securing a lasting ceasefire, ensuring Israeli withdrawal from southern areas, resolving border disputes, and addressing prisoner issues.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Washington had “prohibited” Israel from carrying out further strikes in Lebanon after the ceasefire, adding that the US would work with Lebanese authorities to “deal with” Hezbollah.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled that military objectives remain unfinished, stating that Israel has not “yet finished the job” and pledging continued efforts to dismantle Hezbollah, even as the ceasefire holds.
(With inputs from AFP)
