Israel is establishing a new security zone reaching up to ten kilometers into Lebanese territory, signaling that the IDF does not intend to withdraw from positions it currently holds despite the understandings reached between Iran and the United States.
The new reality along the northern border poses a significant security challenge and is forcing a rethinking of Israel’s defense strategy. At present, Israel does not intend to pull its forces out of Lebanon. In practice, a new security area is taking shape, an expanded version of what was previously known as the Yellow Line, extending up to ten kilometers deep.
The defense establishment stresses that IDF forces have established a foothold in southern Lebanon and continue to work to eliminate threats and strengthen the defense of northern communities. The aim is to create defensive depth that will keep Hezbollah and other terrorist groups away from the border and away from Israeli residents.
One of the central messages Israel seeks to convey is that, contrary to the demands raised as part of the Iran-US understandings, there is no intention to withdraw from territory the IDF currently holds. This includes strategic areas such as the Hermon Crown and other positions across southern Lebanon.
The map of the IDF’s presence in Lebanon illustrates the scope of the deployment. The area covering the Cristofani ridge, the Hermon Summit, and Mount Dov will provide protection for Kiryat Shmona and Metula. On the Beaufort Ridge, captured recently, Israeli forces are remaining in place, allowing control over a wide area that includes Nabatieh, from which Israel is now withdrawing after destroying a significant amount of terrorist infrastructure.
Saluki will mark the new border. From there, Israel will hold the area up to the maritime border, roughly ten kilometers from Shlomi and Rosh Hanikra and more than ten kilometers from Tzur. Substantial infrastructure has been destroyed in that area as well. Israel is withdrawing from the zone around the Litani River.
The real test will come on the ground, when Hezbollah attempts to rebuild its capabilities beyond the security zone and once again poses a threat to Israeli forces and to the communities along the front line.