The ‘Yellow Line’ in Lebanon: IDF maps out forward defense zone to protect northern border

190 villages and 150 crossings and transit points are held by IDF forces in south Lebanon.

By Gila Isaacson, JFeed

Two days after the ceasefire began, the IDF officially published a map on Sunday outlining the “Forward Defense Zone” in Southern Lebanon.

This designated area, dubbed the “Yellow Line,” marks the territory where Israeli forces continue to operate to neutralize direct threats to northern Israeli communities.

Five Divisions on the Ground

According to the IDF Spokesperson, military operations remain intense despite the official truce.

“Currently, five divisions and naval forces are operating simultaneously south of the Forward Defense Zone in Southern Lebanon,” the military stated.

The primary objectives are “to destroy Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure in the area and prevent any direct threat to the northern settlements.”

Current IDF data reveals the extent of the military’s foothold:

190 villages are currently under Israeli control.

150 crossings and transit points are held by IDF forces.

The IDF intends to maintain its presence in this sector for the foreseeable future, strictly demanding that Lebanese residents who fled during the recent campaign do not return to these specific areas.

The Toll of the Conflict

The publication of the map serves as a reminder of the scale of the war.

Since the beginning of hostilities, approximately 8,000 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, alongside hundreds of UAVs and roughly 140 anti-tank missiles.

In a final massive push during the 24 hours immediately preceding the ceasefire, security forces conducted a widespread offensive against Hezbollah targets. During that single day:

Over 150 terrorists were eliminated.

300 military infrastructures were struck, including launchers, command centers, and weapons storage facilities.

Strategic Buffer

The establishment of the “Yellow Line” underscores Israel’s strategy to maintain a physical buffer within Lebanese territory.

By holding this line, the IDF aims to ensure that Hezbollah cannot rebuild its forward positions or launch cross-border raids, ensuring that the ceasefire results in long-term security for the residents of the Galilee.