A geographical comparison between two maps published by the Israeli army showed a change in the borders of the area it defines as a security buffer zone in southern Lebanon, about two months after the ceasefire agreement announced on April 17.
The Al Jazeera network’s open source unit analyzed the map published by the Israeli army on June 18, and compared it with the borders of the area that were approved after the ceasefire agreement. It was found that the Israeli-specified area expanded from about 590 square kilometers to about 650 square kilometers.
The results of the spatial comparison indicate an increase of approximately 60 square kilometers, equivalent to about 10% compared to the previous borders, according to measurements conducted by the unit on the two maps.
An illustrative map showing the expansion published by the occupation of the buffer zone in southern Lebanon (Al-Jazeera). The new expansion does not appear as a random expansion along the border, but rather is concentrated in 3 main locations with remarkable geographical and strategic characteristics.
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Digital elevation models analyzed by the unit indicate that the added areas are located on relatively high points compared to the surrounding lands, giving it a greater ability to visually supervise and monitor nearby axes, valleys and towns.
The first location (Ras Al Bayada)
The first site is located in the Ras Al-Bayada area, on the southern coast of Lebanon, specifically near the coordinates: 33.1513301 north, 35.2267733 east.
Ras Al Bayadah is one of the last high areas on the coastal road leading to Tyre, which gives it geographical importance in monitoring movement on this coastal axis.
A height reading shows that including this area within the new range adds a supervision point to a sensitive part of the southern coast, as the coastal road approaches relatively high and exposed areas.
In this context, the site is not related to its area alone, but rather to its location on an important coastal line of movement, and its ability to monitor an area linking the border areas and the coastal extension towards Tyre.
Sylvester High
The second site is located in what Israeli maps refer to as the Sylvester Ridge, near coordinates 33.1637706 north, 35.3753782 east.
This area includes the surroundings of the villages of Hadada and Beit Yahoun, within high lands overlooking important areas and valleys, the most prominent of which are Wadi Saluki and Wadi Zabqin.
The nature of the terrain in this site gives clear observation value, as the heights allow supervision of natural paths and possible movement within the valleys, which are areas that usually gain military and field importance in southern Lebanon due to their mountainous nature and ramifications.
Geographical comparison shows that adding this site to the buffer zone means expanding control over areas of relative depth, not limited to the direct border strip.
Ali Al-Taher Heights
The third site is located in Ali Al-Taher Heights, near coordinates 33.3582591 north, 35.5195214 east.
This area is considered one of the most sensitive locations among the added points, due to its location overlooking wide areas that include the Marjayoun Plain, the vicinity of the city of Nabatieh, and directions linked to the Litani River.
According to field data reviewed by the unit, the area continued to witness clashes until the Israeli army announced its inclusion in the new security zone, which reflects its importance in reading the recent field transformations.
The importance of Ali Al-Taher Heights is highlighted in that it does not only provide limited local supervision, but also overlooks more than one geographical axis in southern Lebanon, which makes its inclusion in the new Israeli map with field significance that goes beyond the limits of the added area.
Meaning of sites
The three points reveal that the new expansion focuses on high and honorable locations, and not on adding low or marginal spaces only.
Ras Al-Bayada provides supervision over the coastal road towards Tyre, and the Sylvester Heights overlooks important inland valleys, while the Ali Al-Taher Heights provide a broader surveillance capacity towards Marjayoun, Nabatieh, and Litani.
This reading indicates that the change in the map is not related to area alone, but rather to redrawing the scope of surveillance and control that depends on the terrain, elevations, and vital axes.
What the maps reveal
Comparison between the two maps proves that there is a change in the borders declared by the Israeli army for the buffer zone in southern Lebanon, and an increase in its area by about 60 square kilometers.
Digital elevation models also show that the added areas are located in relatively high locations, overlooking roads, valleys, and open areas of field importance.
Thus, the geographical analysis provides a clear indication of the change in the borders of the Israeli-declared buffer zone in southern Lebanon, with the new additions focusing on elevated locations that provide greater ability to monitor and supervise vital axes.
Today, the Israeli occupation army published an updated map of what it describes as the “security zone” in southern Lebanon, claiming expansion and control over new areas, most notably the “Ali Al-Tahir” Heights and the town of Kafr Tabnit located below it.
