Bezalel Smotrich Calls for Annexation of Southern Lebanon to Litani River

On 23/03/2026, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the formal annexation of southern Lebanon, proposing that the Litani River become Israel’s new northern border. Speaking during a faction meeting at the Knesset and later in radio interviews, Smotrich said the ongoing war against Hezbollah should conclude with what he described as a radical change to Israel’s borders. He compared the proposal to Israeli security arrangements referred to as the Yellow Line in Gaza and to the buffer zone Israel has maintained in parts of southern Syria. His remarks were made while Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon were continuing following strikes on infrastructure and positions linked to Hezbollah. Smotrich outlined a territorial objective extending approximately 30 kilometers north of the current international boundary to the Litani River. He argued that the area would function as a sterile security strip separating Israeli communities from armed groups operating in southern Lebanon. According to his statements, the proposal aimed to prevent a return to cross border threats that existed prior to the conflict. Smotrich also reiterated calls for annexation of Israeli controlled territory in the Gaza Strip, linking the Lebanon proposal to broader territorial and security concepts he has previously promoted. The remarks were not adopted as official government policy. Israeli officials described the proposal as reflecting Smotrich’s personal and factional position rather than a cabinet decision. No formal government resolution regarding annexation of southern Lebanon was announced on 23/03/2026, and Israeli military operations continued under existing objectives focused on Hezbollah positions and infrastructure.