The Lebanese army evacuated a newly established position on the outskirts of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon on Friday after Israeli forces threatened to strike the site, in a confrontation that underscored tensions over the deployment of Lebanese troops in areas where Israeli forces maintain positions.

The Lebanese army had established the temporary post on September 10 in coordination with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon, known as the “mechanism,” to accompany residents as they accessed their agricultural land, particularly during the olive harvest, according to the army and a Lebanese military source.

An army patrol set up the observation point on the outskirts of Deir Mimas, in the Marjayoun district, to help residents inspect their fields and secure their movement in the area, the army said.

Israeli forces approached the position on Friday and threw stun grenades around it, according to the Lebanese army. Israeli troops also demanded that the Lebanese soldiers dismantle the post and withdraw from the area.

The Israeli military said the position was located inside what it calls a “yellow zone” in southern Lebanon — an area into which Israeli forces have advanced and from which residents have been displaced or prevented from returning.

The Lebanese soldiers initially remained at the site as military and diplomatic contacts were opened through the coordination mechanism. The army reinforced the position and went on alert as the confrontation developed.

A Lebanese military source told Arab News that Israel subsequently threatened to strike the soldiers if they did not leave. Following contacts through the mechanism, the Lebanese army withdrew from the position, and Israeli forces moved into the site.

The Israeli troops later withdrew, returning to their position at Tall al-Nahhas, after remaining in the area for about 90 minutes, according to reports from the scene. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli forces also searched several homes in Deir Mimas during their presence there.

The Lebanese army said its personnel subsequently returned to their main position in the town and maintained a deployment along the main road in nearby Burj al-Muluk. It said it was continuing to monitor developments in coordination with the Military Coordination Group.

The incident was one of the most significant recent confrontations between Lebanese and Israeli forces and centered on a dispute over the location of a Lebanese army position.

The confrontation comes as Beirut and Tel Aviv continue discussions through the U.S.-sponsored coordination mechanism over security arrangements and the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a U.S.-sponsored framework agreement in Washington providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the deployment of Lebanese army forces in areas vacated by Israel.

Despite the agreement, Israeli forces have continued military operations in southern Lebanon and remain in control of several areas in the south.

Shelling reported across southern Lebanon

The confrontation in Deir Mimas coincided with Israeli military movements and renewed artillery fire at several locations in southern Lebanon.

Israeli military vehicles advanced from the direction of al-Tiri toward the outskirts of Hadatha, near Haris in the Bint Jbeil district, according to Lebanese reports.

Israeli artillery fire resumed Friday morning, striking the towns of al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun after heavy bombardment before and after midnight. Explosions were heard in Tyre and surrounding villages and towns.

Several shells also landed in Wadi al-Azziyeh, while artillery fire hit Wadi Nahle on the outskirts of Shaqra, according to local reports.

Israeli forces also fired illumination flares over Hadatha and Aita al-Jabal in the Bint Jbeil district overnight. Explosions were heard at dawn across parts of southern Lebanon, including in and around Sidon.

Two people were injured on Friday in Israeli artillery shelling in the Bint Jbeil district, according to reports, amid continued Israeli military movements and incursions in several border areas.

During the latest war, Israeli forces advanced as far as about 12 km into Lebanese territory and established positions along what became known as a “security zone” around the so-called yellow line.

The continuing military activity has fueled repeated confrontations on the ground as Lebanese and Israeli forces operate in close proximity and negotiations continue over the implementation of arrangements for southern Lebanon.