The Israel Defense Forces announced on March 16 that it had begun a “targeted ground operation against key targets” in southern Lebanon, pushing more forces deeper into the area as part of an expanded buffer zone. It is modeled on their operations in Gaza.
As reported by the Times of Israel, the IDF “operation is part of the effort to establish forward defense, including the destruction of terror infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of the north.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz explained: “The IDF has begun a ground maneuver in Lebanon to remove threats and protect the residents of the Galilee and the north.... Hundreds of thousands of Shiite residents of south Lebanon who have evacuated and are evacuating from their homes will not return to the area south of the Litani [River] until the safety of the residents of the north [of Israel] is guaranteed.” It is estimated that at least 900,000 Lebanese will lose their homes indefinitely.
Katz said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have told the military to destroy terror infrastructure close to the border in order to prevent Hezbollah’s return, “just as was done against Hamas in Rafah, Beit Hanoun and the terror tunnels in Gaza.”
Also, the seemingly now obligatory use of a “fake negotiation” process to precede expanded military assaults apparently was employed yet again. As TOI recounted: “In recent days, there have also been several reports of plans for direct talks between Israel and the Lebanese national government, which has previously pledged to crack down on the terror group. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has denied such plans, despite reports citing Israeli officials.”
