Israel Expands Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon, Netanyahu Says

Middle Eastern outlets focus on how the Israel–Hezbollah war and the buffer zone plan deepen Lebanon’s internal fractures and weaken its already fragile state. They highlight the Lebanese Army’s pullback, disputes over Iran’s role, and fears that Israel’s actions amount to an attack on Lebanon’s sovereignty. Regional coverage also notes growing anti-war sentiment inside Israel and portrays Hezbollah as resisting what it sees as an imposed security order.

• •Lebanese politicians describe an Israeli buffer zone south of the Litani River as a direct threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• •The Lebanese Army’s repositioning in the south is presented as an attempt to avoid being dragged into direct confrontation with Israel while the state struggles to function.
• •Lebanon’s move to declare Iran’s ambassador persona non grata is portrayed as a challenge to Tehran’s influence that deepens rifts with Hezbollah.
• •Regional media report that the ongoing war with Israel is testing whether Lebanon can continue to operate as a unified state.
• •Coverage highlights that Israeli public protests, including by soldiers’ mothers, question the purpose and human cost of the Lebanon campaign.