Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he has instructed the Israeli military to expand the existing buffer zone along the Lebanese border, as operations in southern Lebanon continue.
In a recorded statement, Netanyahu said the expansion aims to “eliminate the threat of any attack” and prevent anti-tank missile strikes targeting the border region. The move comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which has previously engaged in cross-border attacks against Israeli positions.
The Israeli army has already been conducting operations in southern Lebanon to secure the border and suppress perceived threats from militant groups. Expanding the buffer zone is intended to give Israeli forces greater operational depth and the ability to respond more effectively to potential incursions or rocket fire.
Analysts note that the measure could escalate regional tensions further, as Hezbollah has warned it will respond to what it perceives as incursions into Lebanese territory. The situation underscores the fragility of the Israel-Lebanon border and the ongoing challenges of maintaining stability in the region.
The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid a broader backdrop of conflict in the Middle East, including rising hostilities between Israel and Iranian-backed forces, ongoing missile exchanges, and heightened security alerts across northern Israel.
