BEIRUT / ISTANBUL 

The Israeli army is expanding one of the five border outposts occupied by Israel in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media on Tuesday.

The state news agency NNA said an Israeli bulldozer was spotted removing rocks and clearing land at the outpost on Jall al-Deir hill, on the southern edge of Aitaroun in the Bint Jbeil district.

In a separate incident, the news agency said Israeli forces crossed into a valley on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, also in Bint Jbeil, and remained there for more than an hour before withdrawing.

Israel launched a military offensive in Lebanon on Oct. 8, 2023, which escalated into a full-scale war by September 2024, killing more than 4,000 people and injuring around 17,000.

A ceasefire was reached in November, but Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah activities.

Under the truce, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply. Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.