Lebanon says Israeli troops infiltrated army-held village, built barrier

Israeli troops infiltrated a Lebanese village under army control and erected an earthen barrier, state media and the local mayor reported Saturday. The incident occurred in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, a village designated as a "pilot zone" where the Lebanese army was meant to take over as part of a US-brokered agreement with Israel.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli force entered the village shortly after midnight and built the barrier near the town square. An AFP correspondent observed the barrier, which blocked the road at the village's eastern entrance. Local authorities stated it was unclear if any Israeli forces remained in the area.

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An Israeli occupation army force advanced into the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya shortly after midnight... and erected a new earthen barrier near the town square.

The Israeli military told AFP it was "not aware of such an event in this area." The Lebanese army deployed to Zawtar al-Gharbiya on July 21, with around 50 families returning to the village. The mayor, Abed Ezzeddine, expressed surprise at the barrier's appearance, located about 100 meters from the town square. A Lebanese military source confirmed the incident as a violation of the framework agreement.

Separately, the Lebanese military reported that three soldiers were wounded, one moderately, while dismantling unexploded ordnance in Zawtar al-Gharbiya on Saturday. Lebanon and Israel had concluded their seventh round of direct negotiations in Rome on Thursday. A Lebanese source indicated that Israel refused to discuss further withdrawals until Beirut's military fully controlled the pilot zones. Hezbollah, a militant group, rejects the disarmament deal, and Israel continues intermittent strikes in southern Lebanon despite a June ceasefire.

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not aware of such an event in this area.