Kathmandu— Israeli military operations, including regular demolitions, continue day and night in southern Lebanon, disrupting daily life and destroying infrastructure in villages near the border, despite a June framework agreement aimed at establishing pilot zones for Lebanese army disarming of Hezbollah and Israeli withdrawal, with both sides undermining the process according to local officials and analysts.

Ongoing Demolitions and Daily Disruption

Explosions shake the ground in Froun, Lebanon, as Israeli forces conduct operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, according to local residents. Hasan Saeid Ramadan, 56, described the shaking as "like an earthquake" and noted the collapse of nearby Qantara mountains. "It shook the ground like an earthquake, and the mountain collapsed," he said, pointing to the damage. "Day and night," he added, "We even see them. It’s become routine."

Residents in villages such as Froun, Ghandouriyeh, Bourj Qalaway, and Qalaway report constant sounds of war, including warplanes, drones, and Israeli demolitions, often keeping them awake at night. During an interview, an explosion echoed in the distance, another apparent Israeli detonation of a home, underscoring the relentless nature of the operations.

Pilot Zones and Stalled Negotiations

In June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework agreement launching a pilot zone plan for the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah and Israeli withdrawal. The first pilot zones included Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, but locals disputed Froun and Srifa's inclusion, stating they were never occupied by Israel. "[The Israelis] didn’t take a single step here," Ramadan said.

Israel has reportedly criticized the pilot zone scheme, and analysts doubt its progress. Nicholas Blanford, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, stated, "The pilot zones can only really work if you have goodwill of various parties. The trouble is the Israelis have said they are not going to stage any more withdrawals, so it brings the process to a halt."

Hezbollah opposes the scheme outright, arguing Lebanon should rely on Iran to pressure the U.S. into demanding Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has expanded its occupation rather than reduced it, according to David Wood of the International Crisis Group.

Destruction and Displacement

Villages near Israeli-controlled areas lie in ruins, with piles of concrete rubble and dust lining roads. Many homes and local infrastructure have been destroyed, leaving residents without access to water or electricity. Mohammad Ali Nader, head of Ghandouriyeh municipality, described the agricultural area, once growing olives, wheat, chickpeas, corn, and tobacco, now in ruins. "We used to grow carob here, but where is there carob now? Not a carob is left nor olives, tobacco or wheat," he said.

Residents fled north during the harshest days of the war, staying in displacement centers or with family in Sidon or Beirut. After the framework agreement announcement, many returned but found their homes destroyed. Hasan Ramadan, who fled his 30-year home, now sleeps in his garage with his wife, his house damaged but better off than neighbors' homes, which were completely destroyed.

Residents in affected villages continue to face daily challenges with no water, no electricity, and no clear timeline for recovery, as both Israeli military operations and stalled negotiations prevent a return to normal life.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.