Israel plans to keep security control over parts of southern Lebanon and destroy border villages, amid ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.
Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, announced that Israel will set up a buffer zone inside southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, and maintain security control there even after the war with Hezbollah concludes.
Details of the Security Plan
Katz specified that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will establish a defensive line against threats like anti-tank missiles in this zone. He also stated that all houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border will be demolished to eliminate security risks, similar to actions in Gaza.
Additionally, Katz prohibited the return of over 600,000 displaced residents of southern Lebanon south of the Litani River until the safety of northern Israeli communities is ensured.
Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on 2 March in response to Hezbollah rocket attacks, which were launched in retaliation for Israel's actions against Iran.
Prior to this, Israel had been conducting near-daily strikes on Hezbollah targets despite a 2024 ceasefire.
Since early March, the Lebanese health ministry reported at least 1,238 people killed in Lebanon, including 124 children and 52 health workers. Israeli authorities reported 10 soldiers and two civilians killed by Hezbollah attacks.
Other incidents include the deaths of three Indonesian UN peacekeepers and three Lebanese journalists in recent strikes, with the IDF confirming it killed two journalists, calling them terrorists without evidence.
More than a million people have been displaced in Lebanon, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.