Israel’s defense minister has announced plans for his country’s military to take control of southern Lebanon, from the Israeli border, known as the Blue Line, to the Litani River.
Residents of southern Lebanon have been fearing Israel’s recent military action against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah could be the precursor to a period of ongoing occupation, similar to what Israel did from 1982 to 2000.
Defense Minister Israel Katz is describing the move as the creation of a “security zone” to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah.
During a briefing in Tel Aviv Mr Katz said the Israeli military had destroyed five bridges over the Litani River which they claim Hezbollah had been using, adding Israel would seek to control all other river crossings.
It has been three weeks since Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the broader regional war, firing upon Israel in solidarity with the Iranian regime in Tehran.
Since then, more than 1 million Lebanese have been internally displaced and more than 1,000 have been killed in Israeli strikes, including more than 100 children.
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