In a dangerous development on the ground, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed on Wednesday that the Israeli army is seeking to consolidate its military presence in southern Lebanon by replicating what it described as the “Gaza scenario” in border villages and towns.
The newspaper quoted sources and officers in the Israeli army as saying that the army is working to establish additional military positions in southern Lebanon and double their number, employing tactics similar to those used in the Gaza Strip.
The army has begun demolishing homes in southern Lebanon to clear residential areas and impose a buffer zone, coinciding with the Israeli army’s assertion that it will continue its operations forcefully against Hezbollah.
It emphasized that it will not allow Hezbollah to target Israeli civilians, especially in the northern regions.
For its part, the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot quoted an army battalion commander confirming that the plan aims to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon “free of both the enemy and civilians, so that the northern towns are no longer on the front line,” as he put it.
He added that the army is working on formulating its operational procedures for the buffer zone in Lebanon and is preparing to present its plan to the political leadership.
He noted that there are gaps between the army and the political leadership regarding the concept of defense in southern Lebanon.
He said, “The residents of northern Israel will not feel secure until they see Israeli soldiers deployed in front of them.”
