Israel Plans Partial Withdrawal From Southern Lebanon, Smaller Border Security Zone

Israel is preparing to partially withdraw from southern Lebanon and establish a smaller security zone along the Israel-Lebanon border, according to Jiemian News. Israeli security officials said the planned deployment would pull troops back closer to the border, reducing the depth of the area under Israeli control in southern Lebanon from about 10 kilometers to 3 to 4 kilometers. The new line is to be called the “Gray Line” and would replace the current “Yellow Line.” The plan still needs approval from the Israeli government. Under the proposal, the military would build new outposts inside the reduced security zone and use them as a base for operations to protect communities in northern Israel. Jiemian News also reported that the Israeli military is preparing for a possible escalation on the northern front and is guarding against potential responses from Hezbollah and Iran.