Israel Eyes Buffer Zone Deep Inside Lebanon to Deter Hezbollah
An Israeli self-propelled howitzer fires towards Lebanon from a position in northern Israel, on March 15.
Photographer: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty ImagesIsrael is dramatically expanding its military presence across southern Lebanon, saying that as much as 10% of the neighboring country’s territory could become a depopulated buffer zone as long as the threat from Iran-backed Hezbollah persists.
The Israel Defense Forces have moved into more than a dozen locations in Lebanon and are likely to deploy further, according to an Israeli official who requested anonymity to discuss military movements. Israeli media said more than two divisions — or around 20,000 troops — were involved, with reinforcements standing by.