Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to further expand the existing security zone on the Lebanese side of the border, aiming to prevent attacks and deter the Hezbollah threat from the country’s northern border amidst the ongoing multi-frontal war
The decision was announced on Sunday, March 29, 2026, by the Prime Minister’s office.
According to Netanyahu, the expansion aims to “finally thwart the threat of invasion and keep anti-tank missile fire away.” Historically, until 2000, Israel maintained a buffer zone in southern Lebanon in partnership with the South Lebanon Army, a predominantly Christian militia.
After the withdrawal of Israeli troops that year, Hezbollah transformed into one of the world’s most heavily armed terrorist groups, capable of prolonged confrontations with the Israeli army.
Netanyahu recalled that the late Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had built a powerful force with the intention of destroying Israel.
However, Israel eliminated Nasrallah, thousands of the group’s terrorists, and the enormous threat posed by some 150,000 missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli cities.
Even so, Hezbollah retains some residual rocket-launching capability.
The Prime Minister discussed with the commanders of the IDF’s Northern Region ways to eliminate this residual threat, although he did not reveal operational details, and reaffirmed his determination to fundamentally change the situation in the north of the country.
In a brief statement, Netanyahu reviewed the progress in the war against Iran and its proxies since the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023. He highlighted that Israel is conducting a multi-front campaign, striking Iran and its allies with great force, which has already caused visible cracks in the terrorist regime in Tehran.
“Iran is no longer the same, Hezbollah is no longer the same, and Hamas is no longer the same,” he stated.
These organizations, once terrorist armies that threatened Israel’s existence, are now defeated enemies fighting for survival, while Israel has become the active, offensive, and initiating party in actions on enemy territory.
The Prime Minister recalled that, after the October 7 attacks, Israel promised to transform the face of the Middle East and its concept of security.
To this end, it created three deep security belts in enemy territory: in Syria, extending from the crest of Mount Hermon to the Yarmouk River; in Gaza, encompassing more than half of the Strip; and in Lebanon, with the order now given to further expand the existing security zone.
Published in 03/30/2026 08h42
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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