Israeli extremists cross into southern Lebanon, call for settlements

Dozens of Israelis crossed the border into southern Lebanon on Thursday, calling for the establishment of Jewish settlements in the area, in a brazen violation of sovereignty.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that dozens of extremists from the far-right settler movement Uri Tzafon, which receives significant financial and ideological support from pro-Israel groups in the US and Europe, crossed the border fence near the Lebanese town of Yaroun.

The settlers, who included women and children, attempted to plant trees inside Lebanese territory in a staged act promoting Israeli settlement expansion, calling for the alleged "resumption" of  settlement in Lebanon, framing it as a "historical correction".

The Israeli army confirmed that a group of around 20 Jewish settlers had gathered near the border, and said two individuals crossed the fence before being apprehended and returned to Israeli territory.

The army described the incident as "serious" and a criminal violation that endangered civilians and soldiers.

However, Israeli media reports and videos shared online showed that more than two individuals crossed into Lebanese land during the action.

Beirut MP Melhem Khalaf condemned the incident, saying that "when crossing the fence and violating sovereignty turns into a tree-planting outing, we know that audacity has reached its peak".

"Lebanon is not vacant land for correcting historical delusions, nor a backyard for sick settlement projects," Khalaf wrote on X. "Lebanon is not for sale, not for annexation, and not for bargaining."

Uri Tzafon has previously publicly advocated for Israeli annexation of parts of southern Lebanon. In recent months, it has circulated maps of south Lebanon labelled with Hebrew names and promoted plans for future settlements in areas south of the Litani River.

Settlement construction in occupied territory is considered illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Israel occupies five Lebanese hilltop points near the border despite a ceasefire deal in November 2024 outlighting the full withdrawal of its forces.

The incident follows previous attempts by extremist settler groups to cross into Syria and southern Lebanon, where they have staged provocative incursions and called for expansion under the banner of so-called "Greater Israel".

Some settler activists invoke alleged biblical claims to Lebanese and Syrian territory, pursuing expansionist ambitions which members of the far-right Israeli government have openly advocated recently. 

Strike in al-Tiri

The border crossing came as Israel carried out another strike in southern Lebanon killing one person on Thursday in the town of al-Tiri.

Despite a November 2024 truce that ended more than a year of cross-border hostilities and two months of full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli forces have continued near-daily strikes in parts of Lebanon.

Al-Tiri lies south of the Litani River, the zone that Lebanese authorities and the UNIFIL say has no Hezbollah activity and is weapons-free.

In January, Lebanon's army announced it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah in the area south of the Litani, roughly 30 kilometres from the Israeli border. The government is expected to meet on Monday to review further progress.

Israel has repeatedly said its strikes target Hezbollah positions, without presenting evidence.

Lebanon argues that the continued attacks and Israeli military presence in the south obstruct the Lebanese army's deployment south of the Litani River, disrupt reconstruction efforts, and prevent displaced residents from returning to their homes.