Lebanon boosts army presence in south amid fears of wider Israel attack

Lebanon has stepped up diplomatic efforts to contain increasing Israeli attacks while reinforcing its army presence in the south amid growing fears that Israel could expand its operations around Nabatieh.

Lebanese political leaders have agreed to strengthen the army's deployment in southern Lebanon, particularly around Nabatieh, following three days of Israeli attacks that killed at least 28 people and wounded more than 69, sources told The New Arab.

The move comes as President Joseph Aoun has intensified contacts with Washington, urging the United States to pressure Israel to halt its escalation.

US officials have also intervened with Israel in an effort to reduce the intensity of its operations as Washington seeks to revive negotiations and arrange an eighth round of talks.

Concerns over the situation dominated a meeting between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday.

Sources said discussions focused in particular on fears that Israel could seek to seize additional high ground around the Iqlim al-Tuffah and Jabal al-Rayhan areas of south Lebanon after announcing "operational control" over the strategic Ali al-Taher hill.

Lebanese officials fear the fighting could now spread more widely across the Nabatieh district.

Berri and Salam agreed on the need to strengthen the army's presence in threatened areas in an effort to protect residents and reassure communities.

The Lebanese army said its forces were already deployed across all areas not under Israeli occupation, including Nabatieh, but that it had intensified its operations in several areas to reassure residents.

Aoun also met Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar on Wednesday to discuss the security situation and ways of strengthening the state's presence in the south.

He later held talks with Salam over the continuing Israeli attacks and measures being taken by the army to reinforce its deployment in villages not under occupation.

Israel continued its attacks on southern Lebanon on Wednesday, causing explosions in Mansouri and Tayr Harfa in the Tyre district and Markaba and Bani Hayyan in Marjayoun.

An Israeli drone also dropped a stun grenade near the southern towns of Haris and Hadatha.

Fears Israel could push deeper into south Lebanon

The Lebanese army's deployment comes amid concern that Israel could attempt to replicate the tactics it used to establish control over Ali al-Taher around Nabatieh.

Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that Israel could gradually expand its occupation of south Lebanon through limited operations around Iqlim al-Tuffah and Jabal al-Rayhan, according to military assessments.

It that the Lebanese army had reinforced positions in Nabatieh and Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, including sending 80 soldiers to the latter area, with the overall force there expected to reach around 180.

Nabatieh mayor Abbas Fakhr al-Din told Al-Akhbar that additional troops had arrived and deployed inside the city's neighbourhoods, separate from forces already stationed at the local barracks.

He said the deployment was intended to reassure residents and encourage them to return, with some limited returns already recorded.

Lebanese officials are also watching regional developments, particularly tensions between the United States and Iran, amid fears that Israel could further escalate its operations ahead of Israeli elections in October.

Sources told The New Arab that Beirut believes Israel currently has little enthusiasm for continuing direct negotiations. The Lebanese government has therefore intensified diplomatic contacts aimed at securing international intervention.

Jordanian and Turkish initiatives have also been floated in an effort to break the deadlock.

A Turkish proposal involving support and weapons for the Lebanese army, as well as a possible role in addressing Hezbollah's continued possession of weapons and Lebanon's relationship with Syria, was seriously considered by government officials but has not been formally adopted.

Lebanese officials still see Washington as the actor with the greatest ability to influence Israel.

Government sources said there was hope that US efforts could contain the escalation and lead to a new round of negotiations in the second half of September.

US links Israeli withdrawal to Hezbollah weapons

The diplomatic push comes as US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa has continued to link an Israeli withdrawal to the disarmament of Hezbollah.

During a meeting with Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, deputy head of Lebanon's Higher Islamic Shia Council, Issa argued that Hezbollah must surrender its weapons before Washington could press Israel to withdraw.

Al-Khatib rejected the demand, arguing that Hezbollah could not be expected to disarm while Lebanese territory remained under Israeli occupation.

Al-Khatib also called on Washington to adopt a more balanced position and provide guarantees and protection to Lebanon's Shia community as part of any process addressing Hezbollah's weapons.

Lebanese official sources separately told The New Arab that Beirut had repeatedly stressed to Washington that Israel must halt its military operations to allow the Lebanese army to carry out its duties.

Despite disagreements over Hezbollah's weapons, the sources said Issa was continuing efforts to revive negotiations.