Israel's Military Expansion in Southern Lebanon: New Buffer Zone Emerges

Tue Mar 24 2026 17:08:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a bold move amidst escalating tensions, Israel has announced its intention to establish a significant security buffer zone in southern Lebanon, aimed at combating Hezbollah. Major developments include military actions and destruction of vital infrastructure.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has confirmed plans for Israeli troops to enforce control in southern Lebanon, creating a security zone up to the Litani River. This comes in response to recent Hezbollah rocket fire aimed at northern Israel. Efforts have included the demolition of five bridges used by Hezbollah, signaling an aggressive military stance. The humanitarian impact is significant, with over a million people displaced. Lebanon's government faces challenges with Hezbollah's persistent militarization, despite calls for disarmament.

Israeli troops will control a large swathe of southern Lebanon as part of their campaign against Hezbollah, Defence Minister Israel Katz says.

Katz said troops would establish a security zone up to the Litani River, about 30km (19 miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border and displaced residents would not be allowed back until northern Israel was safe.

Five bridges used by Hezbollah for the passage of terrorists and weapons had been blown up, he said.

The latest escalation began after Iranian-backed Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader and near-daily Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite the November 2024 ceasefire.

Since then, more than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, including at least 118 children and 40 health workers. More than a million people have been displaced, which could lead to a major humanitarian crisis. Israeli officials say the aim is to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.

Lebanon's government has vowed to disarm Hezbollah, which was created in the 1980s in response to Israel's occupation of Lebanon during the 15-year Lebanese civil war. However, so far, the group has refused to discuss the future of its weapons.

The thousands of Lebanese residents who have been displaced will not return south of the Litani River until security is guaranteed for the residents of the north of Israel.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has described the Israeli plans as a policy of collective punishment against civilians.