Israeli Minister Calls for Annexation of Southern Lebanon, Escalating Military Assault

Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the extension of Israel’s borders to the Litani River in southern Lebanon, amidst an intensifying military campaign. This statement marks one of the most explicit declarations by a senior Israeli official regarding territorial claims in Lebanon, a move that Israel asserts is aimed at combating Hezbollah.

Context of the Conflict

The conflict escalated on March 2, when Hezbollah launched missiles into Israel, prompting a significant military response. Since then, Israel has ordered the evacuation of residents south of the Litani River, targeting the area with extensive airstrikes, which Israel identifies as a Hezbollah stronghold. According to Lebanese authorities, the ongoing air and ground assaults have resulted in over 1,000 fatalities and displaced more than a million people.

Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district late Monday, coinciding with Israeli military claims of strikes on Hezbollah positions in the city. Earlier that day, an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed a commander of Iran’s Quds Force, further escalating tensions.

Smotrich’s Territorial Claims

In a recent radio interview, Smotrich emphasized that the military operations in Lebanon should conclude with a significant alteration in the regional landscape, specifically advocating for a new Israeli border at the Litani River. He stated, “I say here definitively…in every room and in every discussion, too: the new Israeli border must be the Litani.”

A military official later indicated that while he could not comment on political statements or long-term strategies, Israeli ground troops were currently focused on operations near the border. Smotrich, who leads a far-right party within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, has previously made similar remarks regarding Gaza, often exceeding the bounds of official Israeli policy.

Netanyahu’s office has not issued a response to Smotrich’s comments. However, Defence Minister Israel Katz warned earlier this month that Lebanon could face “loss of territory” if Hezbollah remains armed.

Historical Context and Regional Implications

Smotrich’s statements resonate deeply in Lebanon, a nation that has endured a long history of invasions and occupations by Israel. Since 1978, Israeli forces have conducted numerous military operations in Lebanon, occupying the southern region from 1982 until 2000. A Lebanese official noted that Beirut is relying on foreign powers to exert pressure on Israel to cease hostilities, with President Joseph Aoun offering to initiate direct talks.

The Israeli military has reported ongoing ground maneuvers and raids targeting Hezbollah fighters and weapon caches, aimed at safeguarding residents in northern Israel. On Monday, Israeli forces captured several Hezbollah fighters south of the Litani River.

Infrastructure and Humanitarian Concerns

In a significant escalation, Israel targeted a key bridge connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, ordering the military to destroy all crossings over the Litani River. This directive has raised concerns regarding civilian infrastructure, as international law generally prohibits attacks on such facilities. The United Nations human rights chief has criticized Israel’s actions, particularly the widespread evacuation orders.

Israel maintains that these evacuations are necessary to protect civilians from potential harm during military operations against Hezbollah. On Monday, evacuation orders were issued for seven neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs, with Israeli forces pledging to intensify their strikes against Hezbollah.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted additional crossings on the Litani River, further isolating the region. Hanna Amil, the mayor of Rmeish, a border town, expressed the increasing difficulty of accessing basic goods, stating, “Once or twice a week, a convoy from the Lebanese army accompanies us as we try to get basic goods from nearby areas.”

Amil highlighted the dire situation, noting a lack of electricity, water, and diesel, warning that if routes to the north are completely cut off, the future remains uncertain.

For further details, visit the source: www.arnnewscentre.ae.

Read all the latest developments and breaking updates in the Latest News section.

Published on 2026-03-24 06:33:00 • By the Editorial Desk