In brief
Israel has declared its intention to maintain a security presence in southern Lebanon after the conflict with Hezbollah concludes. Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that a buffer zone would be set up extending to the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli border. He noted that all houses in villages near the border will be demolished and emphasized that over 600,000 evacuated Lebanese residents would not be returning until safety measures are ensured for northern Israeli communities. The recent military actions have resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
Israel's defense minister has said a buffer zone will be set up inside southern Lebanon and that Israel will keep security control over a swathe of the territory even after the end of the current war against the armed group Hezbollah.
Israel Katz said the area to be occupied would go up to the Litani River in southern Lebanon - about 30km (18.6 miles) from the border with Israel.
He also said all houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border would be demolished.
Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on 2 March and has also been launching broad strikes across the country.
The action was taken after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israel's assassination of Iran's supreme leader in late February, at the start of the war with Iran.
Since early March, at least 1,238 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry, including at least 124 children. The UN's humanitarian affairs office says 52 health workers have also been killed, while 10 Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians have lost their lives due to Hezbollah attacks.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has criticized the Israeli plans as a collective punishment against civilians and suggested they may reflect an expansionist agenda on Israel's part.
