Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Tuesday that all homes in Lebanese villages near the border will be destroyed, and 600,000 displaced people will not be permitted to return until northern Israel is deemed secure, signaling intentions to inflict Gaza-like destruction in the area [1]. Katz reiterated plans to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, maintaining Israeli control over territory up to the Litani River once the conflict with Hezbollah concludes [1]. Since Israel launched its offensive against Hezbollah on March 2, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced and 1,200 killed in Lebanon, following Hezbollah's decision to open fire in support of Tehran in the regional war [1]. The Litani River, approximately 30 km north of Israel's border, marks the area Israel intends to control, which constitutes nearly a tenth of Lebanon's territory [1].
The Israeli military previously ordered evacuations from southern Lebanon, Hezbollah-controlled southern Beirut suburbs, and the group's political heartlands in eastern Lebanon [1]. Lebanon's minister of social affairs, Haneen Sayed, described Israel's ground operation as a "land grab" and warned it increases the risk of long-term displacement for Lebanese citizens [1]. Katz stated that Israeli forces aim to eliminate Hezbollah's elite Radwan fighters and destroy all weapons in the region [1]. He emphasized that displaced residents would not be allowed to return south of the Litani River until the safety of northern Israeli residents is assured [1].
Katz further explained that all houses in villages near the Lebanese border will be destroyed, following the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza, to permanently remove threats near the border [1]. European countries have urged Israel to avoid further escalation, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned Israel's occupation of Lebanese territory as a violation of sovereignty [1].
Legal experts have raised concerns about the operation. Tom Dannenbaum, a law professor at Stanford Law School, stated that the laws of war require controlled demolition of homes to be justified by "absolute military necessity," and that destroying all homes near the border would not meet this standard, potentially qualifying as a war crime [1]. Dannenbaum also noted that Katz’s comments barring residents from returning home indicate an illegal policy of long-term or permanent displacement [1].
CONCLUSION
Israel's announcement of widespread destruction and a buffer zone in southern Lebanon has triggered international condemnation and legal scrutiny, with concerns about potential war crimes and long-term displacement. The scale of displacement and territorial control signals significant geopolitical and humanitarian implications, raising the risk of further escalation in the region.