Israeli forces have increased their military presence in southern Lebanon, according to recent reports, by setting up new bases in the area. This region, which makes up about 5% of Lebanon’s territory and sometimes extends up to 10 kilometers from the border, has experienced Israeli military actions—including air strikes and demolitions—since a ceasefire was declared in June. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that the military is preparing for a long-term presence, claiming the need to create a "security zone" to protect northern Israel from attacks by the armed group Hezbollah. Lebanese officials have accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire, with over 5,000 reported violations, including air strikes, drone attacks, shelling, and incursions beyond the areas Israel is allowed to occupy. While the Israeli military justifies some of these actions as responses to immediate threats, the specific nature of those threats remains unclear. The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as Unifil, has confirmed that Israeli forces have established four new bases in the occupied areas, bringing the total to nine. This follows Israel’s earlier occupation of five areas in southern Lebanon in 2024, which violated the terms of the agreement that ended that conflict. Unifil has noted that Israeli positions have been reinforced with protective infrastructure and other engineering projects. Israeli forces have also been seen conducting demolition and construction work to support military operations. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the destruction of civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon, which could be considered a violation of international law and potentially a war crime. Israeli officials claim that the buildings destroyed were used by Hezbollah for military purposes and that their actions comply with international law. However, they have not addressed specific questions about their activities in the occupied areas. Lebanon has struggled to disarm Hezbollah, a condition for Israel’s withdrawal, without the group’s agreement. Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Kingdom, opposes any disarmament efforts, with its leader describing such talks as "surrender with humiliation." Both countries have engaged in direct negotiations, leading to a framework agreement brokered by the U.S. under which Israel would withdraw from certain areas known as "pilot zones." In these areas, Lebanese army troops would be deployed, and Hezbollah’s disarmament would be verified. However, the plan has made little progress, with a European diplomat stating that the concept of "pilot zones" appears to be stalled until the situation changes. With no significant developments expected before Israel’s upcoming election at the end of October, the situation in southern Lebanon seems to be moving toward a prolonged stalemate.