Israel Establishes Indefinite Security Zone in Southern Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on March 31, 2026, that Israel will indefinitely maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon extending to the Litani River. The plan involves maintaining security control over a 30-kilometre area, demolishing villages near the border, and banning more than 600,000 displaced residents from returning. Katz stated the objective is to remove Hezbollah's threat capability and isolate Lebanon from Iranian influence.

The conflict escalated on March 2 after Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel following joint Israeli-U.S. attacks on Iran. The fighting has displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese people and killed 1,200 Lebanese and three UN peacekeepers. Simultaneously, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on weapons production sites in Tehran, marking 31 days of joint strikes with the U.S.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the move as an "illegal invasion" and a violation of territorial sovereignty, calling for an immediate ceasefire. Meanwhile, the Government of Lebanon informed the United Nations Security Council that it has imposed an immediate prohibition on all Hezbollah security and military activities, asserting that the state exclusively controls decisions regarding war and peace. Lebanon has requested its army confine weapons north of the Litani River and called for Israel to cease all attacks across Lebanese territory.