Beirut:The Israeli army has commenced the construction of new roads through the mountainous and valley regions in southern Lebanon to connect its military positions, as reported by Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the construction spans the western and central sectors of southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have established military posts on what is considered occupied Lebanese territory. The activity includes demolition operations by Israeli forces in the area.
The central sector affected by these developments includes the towns of Aita al-Shaab, Maroun al-Ras, Bint Jbeil, and Aitaroun, with Maroun al-Ras overlooking the Israeli settlement of Avivim across the border. In the western sector, areas such as Naqoura, Yarine, Dhayra, Marwahin, and Alma al-Shaab are seeing similar activities, all while the Lebanese army and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) maintain a presence in the region.
This military activity follows US-sponsored military and technical talks held between Lebanon and Israel in Tampa, Florida, on October 20-21. These discussions concluded without a significant breakthrough or a joint statement, although there was an agreement to continue negotiations. Disagreements persist regarding Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
A framework agreement established in June outlines a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories in exchange for deploying the Lebanese army and disarming armed groups. Nonetheless, Israeli military operations have persisted in Lebanon. Since March 2, these operations have resulted in at least 4,386 deaths, 12,407 injuries, and the displacement of more than one million people, as per the Lebanese Health Ministry.