IDF Lebanon security zone: invasion preparations under way — Blue Line to Litani River, bridges bombed; Canada and France protest

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on March 24-25 that Israel's military will occupy southern Lebanon from the Blue Line (Israel-Lebanon border) to the Litani River, describing the territory as a 'security zone.' Israeli forces bombed bridges along the Litani River as an operational step — destroying crossing infrastructure to serve as the new northern demarcation line for the security zone. Invasion preparations are reported as active and under way. The planned occupation encompasses approximately 800 square kilometers of Lebanese territory and would bring all of southern Lebanon under Israeli military control — significantly larger than the former Israeli Security Zone abandoned in 2000. Canada and France publicly protested, calling on Israel to halt the plans and respect Lebanese sovereignty. The International Day 26 context: IDF strikes killed 9 in Nabatiyeh, Sidon, and Tyre earlier on the same day. The Litani River line has long been Israel's stated strategic objective for removing Hezbollah rocket range from the northern border. With Hezbollah's SAM and rocket capabilities degraded by Israeli strikes, Katz's announcement formalized Israel's intent to seize the territory militarily rather than negotiate its demilitarization. The Lebanon occupation plan runs parallel to and independent of the Iran ceasefire negotiations — Israel has stated it will continue operations regardless of US-Iran diplomacy.