SHIELDING THE NORTH: Netanyahu Announces Bold Buffer Zone Expansion for Lebanon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel will expand its buffer zone in southern Lebanon while continuing military operations against Hezbollah.

Speaking in the evening, Netanyahu said the buffer zone would also be extended eastward, a move he said would allow Israel to “better help our Druze brothers in their time of need.”

He added that fighting remains concentrated around the town of Bint Jbeil, which he described as a central Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon. According to Netanyahu, Israeli forces are nearing full control of the area.

Netanyahu said the ongoing military campaign is being carried out alongside diplomatic efforts, with talks involving Lebanon continuing in parallel. He said those discussions were made possible by Israel’s military pressure on Hezbollah.

The prime minister outlined two main objectives for the talks: dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities and establishing a lasting peace arrangement.

“Peace through strength,” Netanyahu said, describing the approach guiding both the military campaign and the diplomatic track.