Israel’s South Lebanon Buffer Zone Proposal Sparks Debate as Border Violence Erupts
Renewed clashes highlight long-standing disputes over troop presence and Hezbollah’s influence in southern Lebanon
Clashes between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Lebanese civilians on Sunday have raised alarms over the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered to halt last year’s war. At least 22 people were killed and over 120 injured, including women and children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The violence unfolded in southern Lebanon as thousands of displaced residents attempted to return to their homes, defying Israeli military orders and Lebanese army warnings.
The IDF stated that its forces fired warning shots to deter “imminent threats” from groups approaching Israeli positions. “On Sunday, IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon fired warning shots to remove threats in a number of areas where suspects were identified approaching the troops. Additionally, a number of suspects in proximity to IDF troops that posed an imminent threat to the troops were apprehended and are currently being questioned at the scene,” the IDF said.
Avraham Levine, speaker and digital content manager at the Alma Center, justified the IDF’s response, saying, “We were faced with an overwhelming number of people approaching our positions, and our forces fired in response to what was perceived as a direct threat. Retaliation is not what we wanted, but soldiers saw people carrying Hezbollah flags coming their way and had no time to check everyone’s IDs. The Lebanese army should have avoided this circumstance in the first place.”
Shooting unarmed civilians is not an act of self-defense; it’s an act of aggression
Lebanese officials strongly condemned the incident, calling it a violation of the ceasefire agreement signed three months ago. Faisal Mosleh, a professor of international relations in Beirut, told The Media Line, “The ceasefire was meant to protect the people of Lebanon, but Israel continues to violate it. Shooting unarmed civilians is not an act of self-defense; it’s an act of aggression. Israel’s forces are once again showing their disregard for the safety of Lebanese citizens and the terms of the ceasefire.”
Ceasefire Under Strain
The ceasefire, brokered with US support, required Israel to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon within 60 days of signing. That deadline has passed, with Israeli officials citing ongoing operations to dismantle Hezbollah’s weapons caches and infrastructure.
Imad Harb, director of research and analysis at the Arab Center Washington DC, questioned Israel’s intentions, saying, “The ceasefire agreement was supposed to lead to a full withdrawal, but Israel aims to extend its stay. I doubt this deadline will be met.”
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The US confirmed on Sunday that the ceasefire agreement will remain in effect until February 18, 2025. “The arrangement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will continue to be in effect until February 18, 2025,” the White House said.
The delays have fueled frustrations in Lebanon, where the new government, led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, faces immense challenges in restoring stability. “The new government is trying to move the country forward, but Israel’s failure to meet its obligations makes this task nearly impossible,” Mosleh said.
The Role of Hezbollah
The Hezbollah-Israel conflict, which escalated during the Gaza war, has significantly impacted southern Lebanon. An Israeli offensive displaced over a million Lebanese residents and weakened Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, but the Iran-backed group remains influential. Hezbollah has framed itself as a defender of Lebanon, particularly in the southern region.
In Beirut, Hezbollah supporters held demonstrations to showcase their resilience. While far from the violence in the south, the gatherings highlighted the group’s enduring role in Lebanese society. Harb described the demonstrations as “a display of resilience, but it also signals how vulnerable they really are.”
Levine criticized Hezbollah’s role, saying, “Hezbollah is exploiting this situation to build their narrative as defenders of Lebanon. Their goal is to provoke tensions and delay the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.”
Buffer Zone Controversy
Israel has proposed creating a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, similar to the demilitarized area that existed from 1978 to 2000. Levine explained the proposal: “Israel does not want to stay in Lebanon indefinitely. The only solution is for Lebanese forces to assert themselves and prevent Hezbollah from rearming. We need to be assured that the Lebanese army and UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] can truly control the area to feel our presence there is not needed anymore.”
Critics argue that such a measure would exacerbate tensions rather than bring stability. Harb dismissed the idea, saying, “This isn’t new. Israel had a buffer zone in Lebanon from 1978 to 2000, and it failed to provide the security they sought. Why would this strategy work now? It’s destruction for the sake of control, but it won’t bring peace or stability to anyone.”
Israel does not want to stay in Lebanon indefinitely
Future Negotiations and Challenges
In a related development, the US announced that Israel, Lebanon, and the US would begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023. That date marked Hezbollah’s attack on Israel in support of Hamas, as violence erupted in Gaza.
The ongoing presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon remains a contentious issue. Lebanese leaders face the dual challenge of addressing external conflicts and managing internal divisions. Harb observed, “Lebanon’s leadership has no choice but to engage with groups like Amal and Hezbollah. These forces are a powerful part of the political landscape, and while their influence is controversial, the government cannot afford to ignore them.”
Lebanon has faced immense challenges in the past, and we have always managed to rebuild
Despite skepticism, Harb expressed cautious hope for Lebanon’s future. “Lebanon has faced immense challenges in the past, and we have always managed to rebuild. I believe in our people, in our resilience. If our government can find a way to unite and address both our internal divisions and external pressures, there is still hope for a brighter future.”
Whether Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire can hold and the region can avoid further escalation remains to be seen. The coming months will test the resilience of Lebanon’s government and the effectiveness of international efforts to stabilize the region.
