Israel's defense minister has said a buffer zone will be set up inside southern Lebanon and that Israel will keep security control over a swathe of the territory even after the end of the current war against the armed group Hezbollah.
Israel Katz said the area to be occupied would go up to the Litani River in southern Lebanon - about 30km (18.6 miles) from the border with Israel. He also said all houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border would be demolished.
Lebanon's Defence Minister Maj Gen Michel Menassa said Katz's remarks reflected 'a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory'. European nations, Canada and the UN also criticised Israel's announcement.
Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on March 2 and has also been launching broad strikes across the country. The action was taken after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israel's assassination of Iran's supreme leader in late February.
Since early March, at least 1,238 people have been killed in Lebanon, including at least 124 children, according to the Lebanese health ministry. In the same period, 10 Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks. More than a million people - roughly one in every six in the country - have been displaced, worsening an existing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
Katz stated, 'At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon', citing the need for defense against anti-tank missiles. His statements have prompted severe backlash from the international community, highlighting concerns over potential violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israel Katz said the area to be occupied would go up to the Litani River in southern Lebanon - about 30km (18.6 miles) from the border with Israel. He also said all houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border would be demolished.
Lebanon's Defence Minister Maj Gen Michel Menassa said Katz's remarks reflected 'a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory'. European nations, Canada and the UN also criticised Israel's announcement.
Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on March 2 and has also been launching broad strikes across the country. The action was taken after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israel's assassination of Iran's supreme leader in late February.
Since early March, at least 1,238 people have been killed in Lebanon, including at least 124 children, according to the Lebanese health ministry. In the same period, 10 Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks. More than a million people - roughly one in every six in the country - have been displaced, worsening an existing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
Katz stated, 'At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon', citing the need for defense against anti-tank missiles. His statements have prompted severe backlash from the international community, highlighting concerns over potential violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
