DER MIMASS: Israel’s military moved forward on Friday in a south Lebanon village, facing off against a Lebanese army position after deploying tanks and detonating stun grenades.

Israel has been occupying a swathe of south Lebanon since the US-Iran war broke out in March, but the Lebanese army is supposed to gradually take control of the area under a framework agreement between the two countries.

Under the deal, Hezbollah is meant to disarm and Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, but progress has been slow, with Israel warning it will stay put as long as the former “remains a threat”.

In the village of Deir Mimas, located on the edge of territory occupied by Israel, two Israeli tanks advanced along a road towards the settlement.

The tanks stopped in front of a barricade made from earth, beyond which Lebanese army vehicles were stationed.

“An Israeli force advanced on the outskirts of the village of Deir Mimas, up to a junction near a recently established Lebanese army position,” where they launched “six stun grenades in the surrounding area”, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

According to a photographer, the Lebanese army then withdrew by about 100 metres, but remained in a position facing Israeli tanks.

The Lebanese army recently established itself at the site and also has a presence at other locations in Deir Mimas on the edge of the Israeli-occupied zone, according to the photographer.

But the Lebanese army has stayed out of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

On Thursday, a meeting was held between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan’s King Abdullah II to muster international support for Lebanon’s army as it seeks to take control of south Lebanon.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026