While residents of southern Lebanon have been pushed north of the Litani River, the reality on the ground is far from decisive. The proposed solution: a broad deployment across southern Lebanon
Israel Hayom
In recent days, the IDF has forced residents of villages in southern Lebanon to move to the north of the Litani River. The move is seen by the Israeli government as part of an effort to create a new ‘security reality’ along the frontier.
Even so, the government is deliberately avoiding use of the familiar term ‘security zone’ because of the heavy historical baggage it carries.
Instead, in typical deceptive Jewspeak, they talk of a ‘demilitarized area’ or a ‘temporary buffer zone’ as the first step in stealing all of Lebanon and absorbing it into ‘Greater Israel’ as Torah Judah-ism commands.
The term which the government is avoiding
Calls to evacuate the population of southern Lebanon are not new. Already at the beginning of the war, some local leaders in northern Israel demanded such a move, arguing that as long as civilians remain in villages near the border, Hezbollah can continue operating from within them.
Among residents of Israel’s north there is broad agreement that the reality that emerged at the end of Operation Northern Arrows against Hezbollah cannot be allowed to return.
Asaf Langelben, head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, said reliance on the Lebanese government or the Lebanese army has proved to be an illusion.
‘After decades of illusions about the Lebanese army and the Lebanese government, until there is effective action, the IDF needs to restore a line of outposts,’ he said.
‘No one wants to go back to the security zone reality of the past,’ Langelben said. ‘We need to hold many more positions that prevent Hezbollah from occupying the hills that dominate our communities.’
The real debate, he added, is not only about how many kilometers should separate the border from Hezbollah forces, but primarily about who will control the ridgelines overlooking southern Lebanon.
Under the emerging security concept, which would place the IDF roughly 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) inside Lebanese territory and include strikes against a third line of villages about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the border fence, the demilitarized zone is meant to create a ‘clear buffer’ held by the IDF.