Israeli Movement Pushes to Occupy and Settle Southern Lebanon
- Israeli officials and border residents are increasingly advocating for the military occupation and settlement of southern Lebanon, arguing that a permanent security buffer is the only way to...
- On March 31, 2026, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to maintain an occupation of southern Lebanon and destroy several Lebanese border towns after the current ground invasion...
- The proposed security zone would encompass nearly one-tenth of Lebanese territory and would prevent approximately 600,000 people from returning to their homes.
Israeli officials and border residents are increasingly advocating for the military occupation and settlement of southern Lebanon, arguing that a permanent security buffer is the only way to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah.
On March 31, 2026, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to maintain an occupation of southern Lebanon and destroy several Lebanese border towns after the current ground invasion concludes. Katz stated that Israeli forces would remain in the region until Israel deems itself secure from Hezbollah, suggesting the military would employ tactics in southern Lebanon similar to those used in parts of Gaza.
The proposed security zone would encompass nearly one-tenth of Lebanese territory and would prevent approximately 600,000 people from returning to their homes. According to United Nations data, more than one million people have already been displaced in Lebanon, and over 1,200 Lebanese individuals have been killed in the fighting, while 13 Israelis have died.
Pressure from the Periphery
Residents of Israeli border communities, often referred to as the periphery, are leveraging their political influence to push for a more permanent military solution. In Moshav Netu’a, a village situated near the U.N.-brokered Blue Line, security head Eyal Adom expressed a desire to occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River and remove the Arab population from the area.
Eyal Adom
The Arabs’ only motivation to stop fighting is if you take their land.
This sentiment is shared by others in the region who view the depopulation of southern Lebanon as the only guarantee against their own future displacement. Many residents of these communities were evacuated to hotels across Israel following the October 7, 2023, attacks due to fears of Hezbollah incursions.
Oranit Manasseh, a resident of Kibbutz Shtula, described the previous evacuation as a disruptive experience and stated her hope that the military would depopulate the south, get rid of Hezbollah, and keep the terrorists out.
Political and Ideological Movements
The push for annexation is not limited to local residents. On April 5, 2026, 18 Israeli lawmakers urged the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to occupy and control southern Lebanon up to the Litani River. This followed calls from Finance Minister Bezalel Yoel Smotrich for the outright annexation of the region.
A fringe movement known as Uri Tzafon, or North Awaken, specifically advocates for the Jewish settlement of southern Lebanon. In February 2026, members of this group breached the security barrier and launched drones into southern Lebanon to urge residents to evacuate as a demonstration in favor of settlement.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has also supported the establishment of a security zone south of the Litani to protect northern communities and prevent further rounds of civilian evacuation.
Military and International Context
These developments occur amid a complex regional conflict. On April 7, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire pausing the war between the U.S.-Israeli alliance and Iran. However, Israel has continued fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israeli military has bombed villages and destroyed bridges linking northern and southern Lebanon.
The scale of the violence escalated significantly on April 9, 2026, when Israel conducted more than 100 strikes in 10 minutes, killing at least 300 people. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health and the Financial Times confirmed that the casualties included more than 100 women, children, and elderly, as well as four Lebanese army soldiers and two journalists.
Despite the military objectives, some Israeli soldiers and residents express doubt about the feasibility of long-term occupation. Hila Kronos, a resident of Adamit and former reserve soldier, noted that the military is facing a manpower crisis, reportedly short by more than 15,000 soldiers.
International reactions have been critical. Lebanese officials have condemned the campaign and requested international intervention. The European Union and ten European countries have jointly called for a ceasefire and the respect of Lebanon’s territorial integrity.