Israel occupation forces commander suggests buffer zone in southern Lebanon

A senior Israeli military commander has suggested the creation of an Israeli-controlled buffer zone in southern Lebanon to push Hezbollah back from the border. Northern Command chief Major General Ori Gordin sought authorisation for such a zone during private meetings, Israel Hayom reported on Monday.

“Gordin argued that current conditions are favourable for the [Israel Defence Forces] to implement such a move swiftly,” said the daily, citing the death of many Hezbollah fighters near the border over the past 11 months and the evacuation of civilians from southern Lebanon. “This substantial decrease in civilian presence would allow the [occupation army] to execute the proposed manoeuvre more efficiently and rapidly.”

According to the daily, the objectives of the buffer zone are to neutralise the Hezbollah threat. “Additionally, it aims to create leverage for negotiating a lasting settlement as Hezbollah would likely be motivated to reach an agreement to prompt an IDF withdrawal.”

Anadolu added that Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin during a phone call on Sunday evening that the opportunity for striking a deal with Hezbollah “is passing” due to the group’s increasing alignment with Hamas.

Early on Monday, US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Israel for talks aimed at preventing a full-scale war between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah.

The Israeli security cabinet is set to convene today amid increasing divisions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant regarding the approach toward Lebanon. According to Israeli media reports, the defence minister opposes launching a military campaign in Lebanon before reaching an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange with Hamas.

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