Israel is building a 'land grab wall' deep inside southern Lebanon as air strikes continue

Israeli forces have begun constructing a wall deep inside southern Lebanon, according to reports, amid ongoing strikes on the south and increasing threats of a renewed offensive.

Israeli media reports claimed the construction of the massive concrete wall two kilometres into Lebanese territory, facing the border towns of Maroun al-Ras and Aitaroun.

In Aitaroun, Israeli forces blew up three homes early Tuesday morning after destroying other buildings in the village of Houla.

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said the wall is believed to be part of five "strategic sites" that Israel is still occupying along the Blue Line, the temporary boundary drawn by the UN after Israel left south Lebanon in 2000.

Images of the wall have circulated online, extending beyond the Blue Line and adjacent to the northern Israeli town of Avivim.

Israel's military was meant to withdraw from Lebanon after last year's devastating war with Hezbollah, but has instead maintained forces in several border posts beyond the border and is refusing to withdraw unless the Iran-backed movement is disarmed.

In recent weeks, Israel has stepped up waves of airstrikes on southern Lebanon and parts of the east, near the border with Syria, claiming to be targeting Hezbollah fighters and assets. Israel alleges that Hezbollah is using the ceasefire to rearm, despite facing severe blows in recent years, such as the killing of former leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hundreds of Lebanese have been killed, including many civilians, in Israeli air strikes since a 27 November 2024 ceasefire was brokered by Washington.

The Israeli military claims it killed 15 Hezbollah fighters since the start of November 2025 alone, and 40 fighters last month.

Last week, it launched heavy strikes on southern Lebanon, hours after Hezbollah said in a statement it opposed negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, which Washington is pushing for to end the conflict.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has agreed to indirect talks, but says Israel has responded to the initiative with more violence.

No Lebanese officials have commented on the construction of the wall, but have repeatedly called on the US to pressure Israel to commit to the ceasefire.

Lebanese army refuses home searches

Hezbollah was significantly weakened in the war with Israel, which began in October 2023 as cross-border clashes escalated into a full-blown war less than a year later.

In line with the ceasefire deal and Beirut’s efforts to end military dualism in the country, the Lebanese government has pledged to disarm the group through a five-phase army plan.

But the Iran-backed movement has refused the plan, saying that it will not disarm under Israeli or US pressure.

Backed by UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL), the Lebanese army has already been dismantling Hezbollah sites south of the Litani River near the Lebanese border, and media reports suggest about 90 percent of the work there has been completed.

Under a government plan approved in August, the army has until the year's end to clear the area south of the Litani of all arms, tunnels, and other infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah before moving onto the next phase.

But the army has also complained that frequent Israeli strikes and continued occupation of several border points make it harder for Lebanon to continue work in the region.

Reports on Monday said the army had refused an Israeli request sent via mediators to search civilian homes in the south for weapons.

Israeli officials have said that if the Lebanese Armed Forces do not speed up efforts to disarm Hezbollah, Israel will do so itself.

Fires break out

At least one person was killed on Monday in an Israeli strike in Baisariyeh, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The Israeli military said it had killed Samir Ali Faqih, whom it accused of smuggling weapons for the group.

Later in the night, several fires broke out in the south following Israeli strikes.

Fires were reported on the outskirts of Jarmaq, Mahmoudiyeh, Al-Aishiyeh, and Al-Rihan and in the Jezzine district, although civil defence teams quickly extinguished the flames.

Huge fires were reported elsewhere in Mount Lebanon, particularly in the Iqlim al-Kharroub region, but unrelated to the strikes.