Israel’s defense minister says military plans are rampant in southern Lebanon
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Israel will occupy southern Lebanon as far as the Litani River to build a “defence barrier,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday, explaining for the first time Israel’s intention to occupy nearly a tenth of Lebanon.
In a meeting with the military commander, Katz said the Israeli army “will control the remaining bridges and the security area up to the Litani,” a river that meets the Mediterranean about 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border.
The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it will fight to prevent Israeli forces from attacking southern Lebanon, calling the move an “existential threat” to the Lebanese state.
Hezbollah’s top lawyer Hassan Fadlallah said any Israeli attack south of Litani would be met with resistance. “There is nothing we can do but face this violence and stick to the world,” he told Reuters.
Israeli strikes have destroyed hundreds of civilian homes and infrastructure in Lebanon. The UN human rights office warns that some strikes may amount to war crimes. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for this office, explains what matters are considered under international law.
Israel has destroyed five bridges over the river since March 13 and accelerated the demolition of houses in Lebanese villages near the border, part of what it says is an operation against Hezbollah and not civilians. Under international law, attacks on civilian infrastructure, including homes and bridges, are generally prohibited.
Asked about Katz’s comments, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the speech was “deeply concerning.”
“This is the last thing we want to see. This is the last thing the people of southern Lebanon want to see,” he told reporters in New York.
Katz said there will be no homes or residents in southern Lebanon where there is “fear,” an apparent reference to Hezbollah.
For the second time this week, Katz compared the approach to that taken by the Israeli army in Gaza, saying that buildings near the border are being removed and demolished “to create a defensive barrier and remove the threat to the communities.”
The Israeli minister wants it taken
He said the military established a “forward line of defense,” destroying infrastructure used by Hezbollah, including homes it described as “terrorist areas.”
Israeli strikes across Lebanon have killed more than 1,070 people, including more than 120 children, 80 women and 40 doctors, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said. It does not distinguish otherwise between civilians and militants.
On Monday, powerful Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel must annex southern Lebanon up to the river.
More than a million people have been displaced by strikes and evacuation orders, although thousands remain in southern parts.
The Ministry of Health in Lebanon said a 15-year-old boy was killed early Tuesday morning when Israeli soldiers raided the southeastern town of Halta and kidnapped a man. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese government. Residents who fled to the south called for peace.
“If our government does not stand with us, what can we do?” said Najib Hussein Halawi, who fled his hometown of Kfar Kila near the border weeks ago. He says the house has been destroyed.
Israel’s ambulance service said an Israeli woman was killed near the border with Lebanon following a rocket attack on northern Israel on Tuesday, while two others were injured by explosives. It did not specify where the missile was fired. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Lebanon since the war began.
A girl, 3, was killed in a night strike
An overnight strike on an apartment building in southeast Beirut killed three people, including a three-year-old girl, according to the health ministry. The explosion tore through the walls and burned furniture in the apartment next door.
“We have nothing to do with politics,” said Rawaa Eido, an apartment owner. “Why – if they are targeted – do they want to hide in houses among people?” she said with tears in her eyes. There was no comment from the Israeli military.
Later on Tuesday, an Iranian missile was intercepted in Lebanese airspace when a foreign ship was launched off the coast of Lebanon, three security sources told Reuters. The Israeli military also said the missile was fired from Iran. Shrapnel landed in several Lebanese cities.
Lebanon on Tuesday announced the ambassador of Iran invalid person and gave him until Sunday to leave, after ordering the departure of dozens of other Iranian citizens, including diplomats, earlier this month. It said the move does not mean the severance of diplomatic ties with Iran. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, on the X site, praised Lebanon’s decision.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement soon to end the war following what he described as talks between US and Iranian officials. Iran has denied any talks with the US
It is not clear whether a ceasefire in Lebanon would be part of any deal to end the US-Israel war against Iran.
