Israel's defense minister said Israeli forces plan to occupy the area of southern Lebanon stretching from the Israeli border to the Litani River, signaling that troops would remain even after the current ground invasion ends. He stated that the return of more than 600,000 displaced Lebanese residents would be prohibited south of the river until security for northern Israeli communities is ensured, and said entire border towns would be demolished following a model used in Gaza.

The announcement comes as Israel expands its offensive against Hezbollah after the group fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Iran. Israeli officials say the goal is to create a security zone to prevent attacks on northern Israel, but the remarks have raised fears of a renewed long-term occupation more than two decades after Israel ended its previous presence in southern Lebanon in 2000.

Lebanese leaders have condemned the campaign and appealed to the international community to intervene, warning of possible annexation. The fighting has killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon and displaced over a million, while dozens have been killed in Israel. As Israeli forces advance toward the Litani River and airstrikes continue around Beirut, humanitarian officials warn that a new large-scale occupation could further destabilize the region.