Beirut, Mar 25: Israel has announced plans to establish a “security buffer zone” deep inside southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in its confrontation with Hezbollah and raising fears of a prolonged regional conflict.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces are advancing up to the Litani River, roughly 30 km north of the Israel-Lebanon border, with the objective of creating what he described as a “defensive space” to shield northern Israeli communities from continued rocket attacks.
According to Israeli officials, military operations have already included the destruction of five key bridges allegedly used by Hezbollah for transporting fighters and weapons. Troops are also targeting infrastructure and buildings near the border, which Israel claims are linked to militant activity. Katz indicated that displaced Lebanese civilians would not be permitted to return to areas south of the Litani River until security conditions are deemed stable.
“We are manoeuvring into Lebanese territory to establish a front line of defence and keep the threat away,” Katz said, adding that the operation reflects a broader strategy similar to Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Hezbollah, however, has strongly rejected the move. Senior lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah described the planned buffer zone as an “existential threat” and warned that the group would resist any long-term Israeli presence. “We have no choice but to confront this aggression and cling to this land,” he said.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the plan, calling it “collective punishment against civilians,” as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate in the south.
The United Nations has also voiced alarm. Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the developments were “very much concerning,” warning that further escalation could deepen instability in an already fragile region.
The conflict has already taken a heavy toll. Lebanese authorities report that more than 1,070 people have been killed, including civilians, children, and medical personnel, while over one million residents have been displaced. Widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure has compounded an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The latest escalation follows renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, triggered by cross-border rocket fire and retaliatory strikes despite a ceasefire agreed in late 2024. Israel maintains that its actions are necessary to prevent further attacks, while critics argue that targeting civilian infrastructure may violate international law.
The situation also revives memories of Israel’s earlier occupation of southern Lebanon from 1985 to 2000, which ended after sustained Hezbollah resistance and mounting domestic opposition within Israel.
Analysts warn that the creation of a buffer zone could draw Israel into a prolonged military engagement, potentially repeating past challenges and increasing the risk of a wider regional conflict involving Iran-backed groups.
As tensions mount, the prospect of a stable resolution appears increasingly uncertain, with both sides signaling readiness for a sustained confrontation.
