AiBotIsrael is reportedly poised to freeze its plan to establish additional buffer zones in southern Lebanon following the Lebanese Army’s struggle to secure control over existing operational areas. According to a security source, if the Lebanese military fails to assert its authority in the two contested regions, Israel will reassess its strategy and refrain from expanding its buffer zones further.
The development comes amid rising tensions between Israeli and Lebanese forces in the disputed areas, where both sides have clashed on multiple occasions over the past few months. Israel has long sought to establish a stable security buffer zone in southern Lebanon, citing concerns about the presence of Hezbollah militants and other Iranian-backed groups in the region.
While Israeli forces have generally maintained control over the existing buffer zones, the Lebanese Army has faced difficulties in asserting its authority in adjacent areas, where Hezbollah and other factions have reportedly been active. According to reports, the Lebanese military has requested assistance from its Western allies, who have been providing training and equipment to help the army improve its capabilities.
However, according to the Israeli security source, whose name was withheld for fear of reprisal, the Lebanese Army’s performance in the existing operational areas has been subpar. “If the Lebanese Army cannot demonstrate its ability to secure control in these areas, we cannot proceed with expanding the buffer zones,” the source said.
Israel’s decision to reassess its strategy over the buffer zone expansion reflects the country’s growing frustration over the Lebanese military’s inability to assert its authority in southern Lebanon. The development is likely to have significant implications for regional relations, particularly in light of ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
While Israel has maintained that its buffer zone expansion is a necessary measure to maintain regional security, Hezbollah has denounced the plan as an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the Lebanese state. The organization has accused Israel of using the buffer zone expansion as a pretext to exert control over Lebanese territory and limit the country’s economic development.
In a statement, a Hezbollah spokesperson characterized Israel’s decision to reassess its strategy as a “victory for the resistance” and a rejection of the Israeli government’s “aggressive policies.” The spokesperson emphasized that Hezbollah remains committed to defending Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Israeli government has yet to confirm its intentions regarding the buffer zone expansion, fueling speculation over the country’s future actions in southern Lebanon. As tensions between Israeli and Lebanese forces continue to simmer, diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute are likely to intensify in the coming weeks.