Iran War Not Over, Israel Wants to Annex Territory of This Arab Country
Israel has announced plans to seize part of southern Lebanon to create a “defensive buffer zone”, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue pounding Iran.
The statement has dimmed hopes for de-escalation, even though US President Donald Trump previously mentioned that the chances of reaching an agreement to end the conflict remain open.
In a meeting with military chiefs of staff, as quoted from The Guardian on Thursday (26/3/2026), Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would “control the remaining bridges and security zone up to the Litani”, referring to the Litani River which flows into the Mediterranean Sea about 30 kilometres north of the Israeli border.
Katz’s comments indicate that the Israeli military presence could be long-term. The Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah has described the move as an “existential threat” to Lebanon.
Katz added that all bridges over the Litani River, which he claims Hezbollah uses to transport personnel and weapons to southern Lebanon, “have been blown up and the IDF will control the remaining bridges”.
The day before, Israel’s right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel must “apply sovereignty” in southern Lebanon, a statement seen as reflecting expansionist visions and sparking concerns both domestically and internationally.
The situation is further complicated as the Lebanese government has expelled Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, declaring him persona non grata and ordering him to leave the country before Sunday. This unprecedented step reflects a shift from decades of Iranian influence.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged Hezbollah to stop attacks on Israel, stating that “retaliating for Iranian leadership has nothing to do with us”. Hezbollah has condemned the decision as serving Israel and deepening divisions, amid fears of new internal conflict in Lebanon.
Lebanon is increasingly drawn into the regional conflict with Iran as Israel bombards the country and fights Hezbollah in the south.
At the same time, a new wave of Israeli airstrikes has hit Iran after Netanyahu affirmed he would continue military action against Tehran.
“There is much more to come,” Netanyahu said, in line with the views of three Israeli officials who assess that it is unlikely Iran will accept US demands in a new round of negotiations.
On the other hand, in a Tuesday statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would launch massive missile and drone attacks against Israeli forces in northern Israel and areas near Gaza “without restraint” if Israel does not halt attacks in Lebanon and Palestine.