Israel considers creating a security zone 2–4 km inside Lebanon
The Israeli army is considering creating a new “security zone” 2 to 4 kilometers inside Lebanese territory. This is part of a plan to reduce the military presence and redeploy forces in the south of the country, Anadolu Agency reports, citing Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
The “gray line” plan
According to KAN, citing unnamed security sources, the Israeli military is considering establishing this zone from the border. It is also preparing to reduce the number of forces after destroying tunnels in the Ali al-Taher Heights in the southern Nabatieh province.
The plan for redeploying troops in southern Lebanon is called the “gray line.” It envisages reducing the number of military personnel, redeploying forces, and creating positions from which operations can be conducted on Lebanese territory. According to the broadcaster, Israel’s political leadership has not yet approved the plan and is to discuss it before making a decision.
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Control and tensions
A day earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the army had strengthened control over what he called a “security zone” in southern Lebanon. On Thursday, the Israeli army also said it had achieved “operational control” over the Ali al-Taher Heights.
Israel continues to hold areas in southern Lebanon: it has controlled some of them for decades, while it occupied others during the 2023–2024 war. During the current offensive, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanon, which, according to Anadolu Agency, is the deepest advance since Israeli troops withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000.
Israel calls the “gray line” a new redeployment scheme similar to the “yellow line,” which currently defines areas of its military deployment, operations, and security control on Lebanese territory. Tensions in the region have been rising in recent weeks amid Israeli airstrikes and military operations. According to Lebanese authorities, since March, more than 4,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, over 12,000 have been injured, and more than one million have been forced to leave their homes.
