Israel using ceasefire to impose ‘Gaza‑style yellow zone’ in south Lebanon

RT’s Steve Sweeney looks at how the three‑week truce is playing out on the ground

A newly announced extension of the Lebanon ceasefire has been described by Israel’s UN envoy as “not 100%.” RT’s correspondent in Beirut, Steve Sweeney, says the remarks by Ambassador Danny Danon reflect the situation on the ground, with monitors recording repeated violations by West Jerusalem. 

The 10‑day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, initially announced by US President Donald Trump last week, was extended by another three weeks on Thursday. 

According to Sweeney, Israeli forces have used the lull to occupy swathes of southern Lebanon and impose a Gaza‑style “yellow zone” covering around 55 towns and villages where residents are barred from returning. He described the area as “in effect a kill zone,” pointing to reports that troops have been told to open fire on anyone entering and to the destruction of homes, hospitals, ambulances, schools, and other civilian infrastructure since the escalation in March, which has left nearly 2,500 people dead. 

While the three‑week extension may offer some relief to Beirut after weeks of bombardment and Trump “seems to think he could work a longer‑term peace deal,” for people on the ground – particularly in southern Lebanon – “it seems a very distant hope,” Sweeney says. 

Watch the full report from Beirut below.