Tel Aviv - Israeli military will occupy southern part of Lebanon up to Litani River, aimed to create a "defensive buffer" in order to protect its borders, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.
Israel has destroyed five bridges for crossing Litani River on Monday, following Hezbollah's rocket attacks to the border area, killing an Israeli watermelon farmer on Sunday.
The five bridges for crossing Litani River were used by Hezbollah to move their operatives and weapons, Minister Katz said.
Hezbollah has stated earlier that it would support Iran to attack Israel. Israel on Tuesday strike and destroyed Hezbollah's tunnel near the Lebanon border to neutralize threats and protect border communities, Israel media Channel 14 reported.
Israel Air Force on Tuesday strikes Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut, the media said.
"The principle is clear: there is terror and missiles - no homes, no civilians...," the Minister said as quoted as saying by media.
The IDF will prevent the area from residents who want to return there. They cannot return to the area until Hezbollah's threat removed.***
