Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has stated during an interview with Sky News that Israel plans to establish a 30-kilometre buffer zone inside southern Lebanon, extending to the Litani River.
The establishment of the buffer will effectively place foreign territory under Israeli control after the conflict with Hezbollah.
According to the minister, the plan includes dismantling militant infrastructure and eliminating the Radwan forces, an elite military unit of Hezbollah.
More than 600,000 displaced Lebanese residents would be barred from returning south of the Litani until northern Israel is secure.
In addition, the Israeli Defence Minister also stated that the IDF would control the Litani River area as well as the remaining Litani Bridges.
“At the end of the operation, the IDF would control the area up to the Litani River, including the remaining Litani bridges, while eliminating Radwan forces that infiltrated the area and destroying all weapons there,” Katz said during an interview with Sky News.
The Defence Minister’s announcement followed the order of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand control over the Litani River on March 29.
A statement by the Israeli army stated that the troops crossed mountainous terrain into the Mount Dov area, a disputed area along the Lebanon–Israel border that is occupied by Israel and claimed by Lebanon.
Netanyahu also stated that there had been rocket fire that displaced 60,000 Israelis since October 2023, while barring 600,000 Lebanese from returning until safety is assured.
Additionally, the PM stated that IDF troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against Hezbollah aimed at enhancing the forward Defence area.
A report by Reuters indicated that all homes in villages near the border in Lebanon would be destroyed, according to the model of Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza, to permanently remove threats near the border to northern residents in Israel.
Also Read: Israel Launches First Cross-Border Attack From Syria to Lebanon
Israel Attacks on Lebanon
The Israeli military said in a social media post on Thursday that troops from Division 162 would operate in southern Lebanon to expand a buffer zone in the area, with two other army divisions already operating in southern Lebanon.
In early March, Israel launched intensified attacks on its northern neighbour after Hezbollah fired rockets towards Israeli territory.
Currently, reports by CBC news show that Israel has destroyed five bridges over the river since March 13 and accelerated the demolition of homes in Lebanese villages near the border.
Also Read: Israel Flexes Air Power With 1,600KM Strike From Home; Details of Target Emerge.
Lebanon’s Response to Attacks Launched Against It
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned against Israel’s push to deepen its ground invasion during a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In addition, Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said any Israeli occupation south of the Litani would be met with resistance.
In response, Hezbollah has launched rockets and drones targeting Israeli forces and military vehicles in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has stated that it will fight to prevent Israeli troops from occupying southern Lebanon, terming the move as an “existential threat” to the Lebanese state.
Global Affairs Canada strongly condemned Israel’s plan to occupy southern Lebanon on social media, urging that Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity not be violated.
Global Affairs Canada also requested through social media that Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel must cease, and they must disarm.
