Israel Establishes Buffer Zone in Lebanon

Israel has ordered its military to take control of additional strategic positions inside Lebanon to create a buffer zone, aiming to prevent attacks on Israeli border communities. This move comes after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel, which it stated were to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei during US-Israeli strikes. In response, the Lebanese army has redeployed soldiers from several border positions due to safety concerns, and the Lebanese government has banned Hezbollah's military activities. The Israeli military has conducted large-scale strikes on Lebanon, targeting over 160 Hezbollah targets, including members of the Radwan Force, command centers, weapons storage facilities, and satellite communication components. The strikes also resulted in the killing of Hezbollah's intelligence chief, Hussein Muakalled, and another senior militant, Reza Khazai. Despite Israel's assertion that it is not planning a full-scale ground invasion, it has stated that 'all options are on the table' to halt incoming rocket fire from Hezbollah. This escalation follows previous cross-border exchanges in September 2024, which led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border.