Three Lebanese soldiers have been wounded while attempting to defuse unexploded ordnance in the southern village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, according to the Lebanese army.
The incident came hours after the village mayor and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli troops had entered the area overnight and erected an earth barrier.
Mayor Abed Ezzeddine said residents were surprised to discover the barrier about 100 metres from the village square. An AFP correspondent reported seeing the barrier blocking a road at the village’s eastern entrance.
The village had been placed under Lebanese army control as part of a June agreement with Israel.
A Lebanese military source described the reported Israeli action as a violation of the framework agreement. The Israeli military, however, told AFP that it was “not aware of such an event in this area”.
“An Israeli occupation army force advanced into the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah shortly after midnight … and erected a new earthen barrier near the town square,” NNA reported.
The Lebanese army deployed to Zawtar al-Gharbiyah on July 21, and around 50 families have since returned, according to Ezzeddine. Israeli troops had previously been positioned on the outskirts of the village.
Zawtar al-Gharbiyah is one of two “pilot zones” where the Lebanese army is deploying under a US-sponsored framework agreement signed with Israel on June 26. The agreement envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The Lebanese army has been working to clear mines and remove rubble in the area to allow residents to return.
Elsewhere in southern Lebanon, the nearby town of Mansouri was reportedly shelled by Israeli artillery on Saturday. A bulldozer clearing roads there had been damaged by a bomb explosion the previous day.
Further activity was reported across other areas, including Israeli bulldozing in occupied Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh towards the Ali al-Taher area of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, two drone strikes on open ground in Mayfadoun and continued ground incursions in Kfar Shouba, Hasbaya district and Haddatha in Bint Jbeil district.
Israel also said one of its soldiers was wounded in southern Lebanon on Saturday.
The Israeli military, cited by Channel 12, said the soldier suffered moderate injuries during an “operational incident” and was taken to hospital. Israel Army Radio reported that the soldier was a combat engineer from the 607th Engineering Battalion who was struck by shrapnel from Israeli fire in the border village of Tayri.
The developments came days after Lebanon and Israel concluded a seventh round of direct, US-mediated talks in Rome on Thursday.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Beirut had made “positive progress” on border and prisoner issues, with another round of talks expected in September.
