Israel Declares Southern Lebanon 'Security Zone' — Invasion Preparations Under Way from Blue Line to Litani River

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz formally announced on March 24-25 that Israeli forces will occupy southern Lebanon from the Blue Line to the Litani River, designating the territory a 'security zone.' IDF struck bridges along the Litani River as an operational preparation step — destroying crossing infrastructure to establish the new northern boundary of the zone. Invasion preparations are reported as active. The planned security zone encompasses approximately 800 square kilometers of Lebanese territory — significantly larger than Israel's former Security Zone abandoned in 2000 — and would bring all towns south of the Litani under IDF control, including Nabatiyeh and Tyre, both struck by IDF air raids earlier on Day 26 killing 9. Canada and France publicly rejected the plan, calling on Israel to halt preparations and respect Lebanese sovereignty. The Lebanon operation runs parallel to US-Iran ceasefire diplomacy; Israel has signaled it will continue operations regardless of any US-Iran agreement. Hezbollah, whose primary rocket infrastructure sits south of the Litani, faces prospect of territorial displacement from its southern Lebanon base.

Key facts

• •Defence Minister Katz: IDF will occupy southern Lebanon from Blue Line to Litani River as 'security zone'
• •IDF bombed Litani River bridges as operational preparation for new demarcation line
• •Invasion preparations reported as under way — ~800 sq km of Lebanese territory
• •Canada and France protest: 'Lebanon's sovereignty must not be violated'
• •IDF Day 26 strikes killed 9 in Nabatiyeh, Sidon, Tyre — towns within the planned zone