The Litani River and its bridges have become the focus of a widening backlash as Israel targets key crossings while pushing to impose a new border inside southern Lebanon [Getty]
International condemnation is mounting over Israel’s plans to seize territory up to Lebanon’s Litani River, after senior Israeli officials publicly called for a border shift, with governments warning the move amounts to a breach of international law and a violation of sovereignty that risks entrenching a new phase of the war.
The criticism comes after far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared earlier this week that “the new Israeli border must be the Litani”, while Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would “control the security zone up to the Litani” and prevent displaced Lebanese residents from returning to their homes.
On the ground, Israeli operations increasingly reflect that plan, with air strikes hitting bridges and crossings over the river, widespread displacement orders issued across southern Lebanon, and the systematic destruction of homes, roads, and fuel and water infrastructure in a bid to isolate the south from the rest of the country.
The developments have triggered a wave of international backlash, with governments and organisations warning that Israel’s actions risk amounting to unlawful territorial expansion at Lebanon’s expense.
United Nations
The UN has warned against the “increased rhetoric” from Israeli officials, stressing that Lebanon’s territorial integrity “needs to be respected”.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said there was no military solution, pointing to the displacement of more than one million people and warning against further escalation.
Australia
Australia has rejected any Israeli move into southern Lebanon, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong stating Canberra “does not want to see occupation”.
She reaffirmed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty while highlighting the scale of civilian displacement and the risk of further escalation.
The Litani River has long been central to Israeli strategic thinking, and its renewed prominence in current plans is fuelling concerns that old territorial ambitions are being revived under the cover of war [Getty]
Canada and France
Canada said Lebanon’s sovereignty “must not be violated”, condemning plans to take control of territory up to the Litani River.
France echoed the warning, saying a ground invasion would deepen humanitarian devastation and further destabilise the country.
Spain
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel of seeking to inflict on Lebanon the same level of destruction seen in Gaza.
He described the war as “absurd and illegal”, warning of consequences that could extend far beyond the region.
UK political reaction
In the UK, the Green Party pointed to warnings from Human Rights Watch that continued Western support risks complicity in violations in Lebanon.
MP Ellie Chowns said Israel’s actions reflect a pattern of “impunity”, linking the destruction in Lebanon to earlier devastation in Gaza, and calling for an end to arms sales and accountability for alleged war crimes.
A long-standing fixation
The Litani River has long featured in Israeli strategic thinking, not only as a military line but as a resource. Early Zionist leaders, including David Ben-Gurion, viewed the river’s flow as underused and proposed incorporating or diverting it to support expansion into arid areas.
Israeli forces have repeatedly advanced to the Litani, from the 1978 invasion to the prolonged occupation of southern Lebanon until 2000.