Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on March 24, 2026, that Israel will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River to create a "defensive buffer zone," a move that would place approximately 30 kilometers of Lebanese territory under Israeli military control. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the instructions, stating the objective is to "fundamentally change the security situation" in the border region. Israel has issued evacuation orders for all residents south of the Litani River and intensified daily strikes on villages and infrastructure throughout the designated zone.
The announcement extends Israel's operations far beyond its initial incursions following the collapse of the 2024 ceasefire. For Lebanon, already devastated by weeks of conflict, the expansion represents an effective territorial annexation of nearly 10% of the country. More than 1 million people have been displaced from southern Lebanon, with over 1,000 killed since fighting resumed in early March. Hezbollah senior lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah described the buffer zone plan as an "existential threat," stating: "We have no choice but to confront this aggression and cling to the land."