Top Israeli commander suggests creating buffer zone in southern Lebanon

JERUSALEM

A top Israeli military commander has suggested the creation of an Israeli buffer zone in southern Lebanon to push back Hezbollah from the border.

Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin called during private meetings for authorization to create a buffer zone in Lebanon under Israeli control, Israel Hayom newspaper reported on Monday.

“Gordin argued that current conditions are favorable for the IDF (army) to swiftly implement such a move,” the daily said, citing the death of many Hezbollah fighters near the border over the past 11 months and the evacuation of civilians from southern Lebanon.

“This substantial decrease in civilian presence would allow the IDF (army) to execute the proposed maneuver (ground operation) more efficiently and rapidly,” the newspaper said.

According to the daily, the objectives of the buffer zone are to neutralize the Hezbollah threat and push back its forces from the border.

“Additionally, it aims to create leverage for negotiating a lasting settlement as Hezbollah would likely be motivated to reach an agreement to prompt an IDF (army) withdrawal,” it said

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin during a phone call Sunday evening that the opportunity for striking a deal with Hezbollah “is passing” due to the group’s increasing alignment with Hamas.

Early Monday, US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Israel for talks aimed at preventing a full-scale war between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah.

The Israeli security cabinet is set to convene on Monday amid increasing divisions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister regarding the approach toward Lebanon.

According to Israeli media reports, Gallant opposes launching a military campaign in Lebanon before reaching an agreement on a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange with Hamas.

Tensions have spiked along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv pressed ahead with an offensive against Gaza, which has killed over 41,200 people since last October following a Hamas attack.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio