Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Shows Cracks as IDF Conducts Operations

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that began Thursday night after 46 days of intensified bombardment and a ground invasion is already showing signs of collapse, with Israeli forces carrying out demolitions, artillery shelling and land-clearing operations in several border areas within hours of the agreement taking effect. At the center of the dispute is what Israel calls a "Yellow Line" – a military zone stretching roughly 10 kilometers north of the border inside southern Lebanon that Israeli officials say they intend to keep under permanent military control, with residents prohibited from returning to 55 Lebanese towns and villages within that area. The ceasefire text contains conflicting language that has prompted immediate disagreement, with terms stating both that parties will implement a "cessation of hostilities" while also preserving Israel's right to take "all necessary measures in self-defence" against "planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks." Senior Israeli military officials confirmed Saturday that the "Yellow Line" model implemented in Gaza will be replicated in Lebanon, with five IDF divisions and Navy forces operating south of the Forward Defense Line to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. Hezbollah has condemned the agreement as "an insult to our country" and insisted its fighters will remain deployed and respond to violations, while Lebanese media reported the group plans to notify Iran of what it perceives as breaches. US President Donald Trump announced Friday that Israel is "prohibited from bombing Lebanon any longer," though Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated the military will continue holding and controlling "all positions it has cleared and secured." The Lebanese government is engaging in parallel talks with Israel that Hezbollah has condemned as a "humiliation," while Iranian officials have made clear that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a prerequisite for any meaningful progress in their negotiations with Washington. Analysts warn that Israel appears to be using the temporary military zone as leverage for future negotiations, with critics saying the truce risks becoming a mechanism for legitimizing occupation under the cover of a ceasefire.