**Title: Lebanese Soldiers Injured Amid Israeli Troop Incursion in Zawtar al-Gharbiyah**
**Date: August 8, 2026**
Three Lebanese soldiers sustained injuries while attempting to defuse unexploded ordnance in the southern village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, according to a statement from the Lebanese army. The incident occurred on Saturday, shortly after Israeli troops reportedly entered the village and constructed an earth barrier.
The mayor of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, Abed Ezzeddine, expressed surprise at the Israeli military's actions, noting that the barrier was erected approximately 100 meters from the village square. This development comes in the wake of a June agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which allowed for the Lebanese army to take control of the area. The agreement was part of a US-sponsored framework aimed at facilitating a phased Israeli withdrawal in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The Lebanese military characterized the Israeli incursion as a violation of the framework accord. However, the Israeli military denied awareness of the event, as reported by the AFP agency. Local media indicated that the Israeli forces advanced into Zawtar al-Gharbiyah shortly after midnight and erected the barrier near the town square, effectively blocking a road at the eastern entrance.
Since the Lebanese army's deployment to Zawtar al-Gharbiyah on July 21, approximately 50 families have returned to the village, which had previously been under Israeli control. The area is considered a "pilot zone" for the Lebanese military's efforts to clear mines and facilitate the safe return of residents.
In a broader context, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tyre, Ihab al-Aqadi, reported an escalation in Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon in recent days. This uptick in hostilities coincides with ongoing negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv in Rome. Al-Aqadi noted that Zawtar al-Gharbiyah is one of the areas where the Lebanese army is working to remove mines and debris to support the return of displaced residents.
On the same day as the soldiers' injuries, the nearby town of Mansouri experienced artillery shelling from Israeli forces. The town has effectively remained sealed off due to ongoing gunfire, preventing residents from returning after evacuation orders. A bulldozer tasked with clearing roads in Mansouri was damaged by a bomb explosion the previous day.
The Israeli military's activities have not been limited to Zawtar al-Gharbiyah and Mansouri. Reports indicate that shelling and incursions have occurred across the border, including bulldozing operations in the occupied Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh and drone strikes in Mayfadoun. Ground incursions have also been reported in Kfar Shouba and Haddatha, further exacerbating the situation for residents in these areas.
The ongoing conflict has rendered several villages along the line of contact uninhabitable, including Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Mansouri. Despite the escalating violence, Lebanon has maintained its commitment to a ceasefire and is urging Israel to cease the destruction of border villages. Preparations for a new round of negotiations are set for September.
In a related incident, the Israeli military reported that one of its soldiers was injured in southern Lebanon on Saturday. The soldier, identified as a combat engineer from the 607th Engineering Battalion, sustained moderate injuries from shrapnel during an operational incident and was subsequently evacuated to a hospital for treatment.
The recent developments come on the heels of a seventh round of direct, US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel, which concluded in Rome on Thursday. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the discussions had yielded "positive progress" regarding border and prisoner issues, highlighting the complexities of the situation in the region.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation in southern Lebanon remains precarious, with both sides navigating a fragile peace amid ongoing military engagements and diplomatic efforts.