Israel Eyes Litani River as New Border Amid Escalating Lebanon Offensive

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly called for redrawing Israel's northern border to extend to Lebanon's Litani River, marking one of the most direct territorial claims made by a senior Israeli official since the conflict intensified. Speaking on Israeli radio, Smotrich stated that the military campaign must conclude with a fundamentally different reality — one that includes a permanent shift in Israel's borders.

The remarks came as Israeli forces continued their aggressive military campaign across southern Lebanon, targeting bridges, demolishing homes near the border, and ordering civilians to evacuate all areas south of the Litani River. Lebanon was drawn into the broader regional conflict on March 2, when Hezbollah launched missile attacks into Israeli territory.

Lebanese authorities report that Israeli air and ground operations have claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced over a million people from their homes. International criticism has grown, with the United Nations human rights chief condemning Israel's widespread evacuation orders and strikes on civilian infrastructure, actions generally prohibited under international law.

Israel maintains that its operations are focused on dismantling Hezbollah strongholds and protecting northern Israeli communities from ongoing rocket fire. Israeli troops operating near the border captured several Hezbollah fighters south of the Litani River, according to military statements. Separately, an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a senior commander from Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force.

Meanwhile, access to southern Lebanon is deteriorating rapidly. Israeli forces destroyed multiple crossings over the Litani River over consecutive days, severely limiting the movement of both civilians and aid. Residents of border towns report acute shortages of water, electricity, and fuel, raising serious humanitarian concerns about what lies ahead if supply routes are completely severed.

Lebanon's government, which has banned Hezbollah's military operations within its borders, has expressed willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, while hoping international pressure can bring the conflict to an end.