Israel advances settlement scheme for southern Lebanon despite direct negotiations

Israel’s so-called security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has revealed schemes for the expansion of illegal settlements into the southern part of Lebanon, while renewing demands for the expulsion of native Palestinians from the besieged Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank.

Ben-Gvir made the remarks on Saturday, while representatives from Israel and Lebanon participated in US-sponsored direct negotiations in Washington, which focused primarily on the demarcation of borders as well as broader regional developments.

“We also have plans for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank,” the hawkish Israeli minister said.

The 50-year-old Israeli politician noted that he personally yearns for the construction of Israeli settlements in Lebanon.

His comments were echoed by Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who put forward what he termed a “settlement revolution” in the West Bank.

Smotrich said the incumbent cabinet led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had authorized all new settlement outposts and approved more than 100 new illegal settlements, besides 600 settler units across the occupied Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, the Arabic-language Lebanese al-Modon daily newspaper reported that it had obtained a draft document, containing clauses discussed during indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US sponsorship and support from President Donald Trump.

According to the report, the talks went beyond ceasefire arrangements and Israeli withdrawal issues.

Discussions purportedly covered the future of southern Lebanon, the role of the Lebanese army, reconstruction efforts, the return of displaced residents, and the future relationship between the Beirut government and the Tel Aviv regime.

The draft reportedly states that Lebanon and Israel would commit to reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the war and establish stable relations while affirming each other’s right to live in peace.

Israeli settlers force Palestinians to abandon village in occupied West Bank

Israeli settlers’ repeated attacks force Palestinians to abandon farming village in the occupied West Bank.

The document also says Israeli military forces would pull out of the occupied Lebanese territories and abandon any territorial expansion schemes.

In return, Lebanon would commit to restoring full state sovereignty and ensuring that only the Lebanese army controls weapons and security operations inside the country.

The proposal further links reconstruction efforts and the return of displaced Lebanese residents to direct negotiations and security arrangements supported by Washington.

This is while tensions continue to simmer across the occupied Palestinian territories.

On Thursday, Israeli settlers carried out assaults across the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds before the controversial annual “Flag March,” which marks Israel’s occupation of the eastern part of al-Quds.

Hundreds of settlers also stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy Israeli police protection, while authorities imposed sweeping restrictions on Palestinian worshippers in the sacred site.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben-Gvir took a sharp swipe at the European Union after it slapped sanctions on Israeli settlers and settlement organizations involved in attacks across the occupied West Bank.

Israeli settlers living illegally in the West Bank are armed with military-grade weapons, ranging from US-made M16s to pistols and drones.

In a landmark opinion in July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

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