Israel Plans to Control Large Parts of Southern Lebanon, Defense Minister Says

Key Points:

• Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, announced plans to expand military control south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, signaling an intensified ground offensive against Hezbollah.
• The Litani River, a longstanding geographic boundary in Israel-Hezbollah conflicts, will be retained under Israeli control, though it is unclear if troops will occupy the entire area or if air force dominance will be used.
• Israel has bombed five bridges along the Litani River, which it claims Hezbollah used for reinforcements, despite these bridges being vital for civilian access to medicine and hospitals.
• The operation follows Hezbollah rocket attacks in solidarity with Iran after an Israeli-American strike on Tehran, with Israeli airstrikes causing significant destruction and over 1,000 deaths in Lebanon.
• Some Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, advocate making the Litani River the new official border, expanding Israel’s territorial control beyond previous cease-fire arrangements.