Israel wants to take control of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River

Israel wants control up to the Litani River to push back Hezbollah

They will not be allowed to return until security for the residents in northern Israel is “guaranteed,” said Katz during a visit to a military base in Israel. The Litani River has played an important role in Israeli efforts to push back Hezbollah for years. Last year, the government in Beirut ordered the army to destroy Hezbollah’s military infrastructure south of the Litani by the end of 2025 and then to disarm the pro-Iranian militia in the rest of the country.

From Israel’s perspective, however, the Lebanese army implemented this plan inadequately. At the end of last year, the Israeli army increased its attacks on Hezbollah. After the Iran War began on February 28, the conflict between Israel and the militia financed by Iran escalated massively again. Since then, Hezbollah has repeatedly fired rockets and drones into Israeli territory. Israel is shelling Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and has now also advanced ground troops into Lebanese territory in the border area.