The Lebanese army withdrew from a position near the village of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon on Friday following a confrontation with Israeli forces, who deployed tanks and stun grenades and threatened to attack. The Lebanese military position, established to assist local residents in accessing their agricultural land, was abandoned after Israeli troops asserted the area fell within the so-called “yellow zone,” a territory where Israel has advanced and from which displaced residents have been barred from returning.

Deir Mimas, located approximately 90 kilometers from Beirut in the predominantly Christian Marjeyoun district, is notably free of Hezbollah presence. According to a Lebanese military source, Israeli forces moved into the area after the Lebanese unit withdrew.

Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Chehaitly, a former Lebanese government representative to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), commented on the incident, suggesting it signals Israel’s refusal to accept Lebanese army deployments inside the “yellow zone.” He emphasized that Israel’s actions are aimed at preventing the Lebanese military from solidifying its presence in southern Lebanon, indicating that Israel has not ceased hostilities in the area and is unwilling to recognize the Lebanese army as a controlling authority there.

Prior to this incident, there had been speculation that Israel might cease further territorial advances following its capture of the strategically important Ali Al-Taher ridge in the south. However, Chehaitly suggested that Israel may be attempting to reinforce what it perceives as its defensive line within southern Lebanon rather than halting its expansion.

“This is a new and unclear military phase,” Chehaitly stated. “It is uncertain whether a diplomatic resolution will be achieved before a potential third phase of the conflict begins.”

Despite ongoing developments, Chehaitly noted that political and military factors might hinder further Israeli ground operations. He pointed out the absence of approval from the United States and a lack of consensus within Israeli political and military leadership regarding expanded military action in Lebanon.