Israel to establish military posts in southern Lebanon
Amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions, Israel has begun establishing permanent military posts in southern Lebanon, according to Middle East Eye via Maariv on July 17th.
Maariv, an Israeli news site, states that the new line of military posts will allow Israel to strengthen its hold in southern Lebanon, despite potentially causing increased US-Israeli tensions.
The announcement to establish military bases comes amid talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv, with Washington’s mediation.
Hezbollah rejected a June 26th US-brokered security agreement that outlined a phased Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon, while also allowing Israeli forces to remain inside a temporary security zone.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Israel has continued attacks against Lebanon, including amid the US-Israeli war on Iran and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
On June 7th, Iran fired missiles at Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire, reportedly in response to Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon.
Additionally, on June 12th, it was reported that Israel was planning to establish a military base in Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
The base would likely protect Jewish settlements in the area; an estimated 700,000 settlers reside in illegal Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
Settlement expansion is illegal under international law, although the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and several Israeli ministers have expressed support for establishing more settlement outposts.
US-Israeli ties are under increased pressure due to growing bipartisan support for halting US military aid to Israel amid concerns about complicity in war crimes amid Israel’s wars on Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.
The US is Israel’s largest arms supplier, accounting for 53% of Israel’s total conventional arms imports since 2023; Germany covers the remaining 47%.
Since its establishment in 1948, the US has provided military and economic support to Israel worth over $300 billion.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to reduce Israel’s reliance on foreign aid to strengthen its domestic defence industry.
Israeli weapons exports reportedly reached “a record high” in 2025, with Europe being the largest arms purchaser.
According to experts, governments have expressed interest in weapons advertised by defence contractors as “battle-tested.”
Maghrebi has contacted Israel’s Defence Ministry for comment on plans to establish military posts in southern Lebanon, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
Middle East Eye via Maariv, Maghrebi.org
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