Zein Khalil
18 April 2026•Update: 18 April 2026
The Israeli army on Saturday said it had established a so-called “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon, similar to measures used in Gaza, and claimed it targeted individuals approaching the area.
In a statement, the military said its forces operating in what it described as the “Yellow Line” zone south of the Litani River had identified over the past 24 hours “a terrorist cell who violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces from north of the Yellow Line in a manner that posed an immediate threat."
This is the first time Israel has publicly referred to a “Yellow Line” in Lebanon, described as a self-declared buffer zone resembling arrangements previously imposed in the Gaza Strip following the war that began in October 2023.
The army said its air force and ground troops struck the suspects, adding that artillery shelling was carried out in support of forces in the area.
It also claimed such actions are “not restricted by the ceasefire.”
Later, in a written statement sent to Anadolu, the army said armed individuals were identified approaching Israeli forces south of the “Yellow Line” on Friday, and that troops opened fire “to eliminate the threat.”
As of 1650GMT, there was no immediate official response from Lebanese authorities or Hezbollah regarding the Israeli statements.
On Friday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he was ready to take all necessary steps to secure Israel’s withdrawal and “save the country.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday that Israel intends to maintain control over all areas it occupied in southern Lebanon during the recent offensive.
US President Donald Trump also said on Friday that Washington is actively prohibiting Israel from carrying out additional attacks on Lebanon as a nascent ceasefire takes hold.
Trump announced Thursday a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon starting at midnight local time in Tel Aviv and Beirut.
The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has reached 2,294, with 7,544 people injured, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said Friday.
*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul
