Mapped out: Israeli army formalizes expansion of its 'operations zone' in south Lebanon

Four days ahead of the upcoming direct Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington, with the focus on stopping hostilities and Israel pulling out of southern Lebanon amidst discussions between Israel and the Trump administration, the Israeli army officially released a new map. It shows their expansion beyond the original "buffer zone" established in mid-April, covering the coastline, the central sector, and the Nabatieh region.

This new map, published by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, outlines the contours of the Israeli army's "operations zone" in southern Lebanon, which, according to the official, extends "10 kilometers deep" into Lebanese territory. In his message, Adraee says he will continue his "operations" in the zone in response to "threats" posed by Hezbollah.

The map indicates that troops will continue to be deployed there "in order to eliminate the threats and improve the defense of the inhabitants of northern Israel." An Israeli military official said the army could also act to "neutralize" risks identified beyond the security zone and urged Lebanese civilians not to enter the area.

Compared with the map published on April 19, three areas have been expanded, according to a digital comparison of the two documents conducted by L'Orient-Le Jour.

The first zone encompasses the villages of Bayyada and Majdal Zoun in the Sour district, adding 11 square kilometers. The Israelis have advanced on these localities, which were north of the initial "Yellow Line," and fighting has been reported there in recent weeks by our correspondent in the South and by Hezbollah.

The second area, a 16-square-kilometer pocket, includes, in the central sector, Haddatha, where a battle between the Israelis and the militia-party lasted several days. Israeli vehicles were observed there on Wednesday, while residents and the Israeli army, attempting to clear debris earlier Thursday, came under fire and were forced to retreat.

North of the Litani, in the Nabatieh region, the Israeli army claims an additional 25 square kilometers, extending southeast of the city to the Ali Taher hills, a strategic high-ground position, as well as the northern banks of the river at Zawtar Sharqieh. This is where the Israeli army crossed the Litani.

The map also appears to show that some areas, totaling about 30 square kilometers, are no longer included in the "buffer zone," notably around Marjayoun. While it is not yet possible to confirm whether these new delineations signal an Israeli withdrawal from this zone, which notably includes northern Khiam, it should be noted that on its first map, the Israeli army located the border town farther to the North.

The northward shift of the "Yellow Line" in this area could thus be due to an adjustment to this initial positioning error. However, information from sources on the ground reported, two days ago, movements of Israeli vehicles and troops towards the south of Khiam and the regions of Sarda and Amra.

On the map, the land area claimed by the Israeli army now covers 620 square kilometers, compared to about 600 square kilometers on the version published in mid-April.

The maritime line has also been modified. While the coastal point is further north, at Bayyada, its orientation has been changed, which seems to reduce it. With this new inclination of the maritime "Yellow Line," the Qana gas field once again appears to be divided between the Lebanese and Israeli exclusive economic zones.