The Israeli military said Tuesday it has begun creating a buffer zone inside Lebanese territory, shortly after the defence minister ordered troops to seize additional positions across the border. The development marks a further escalation along the Israel-Lebanon frontier amid heightened regional tensions.

In a televised statement, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said the Northern Command had advanced into what he described as “dominating terrain” and was establishing a buffer area. “In practice, Northern Command has moved forward, taken control of the dominating terrain, and is creating a buffer, as we promised, between our residents and any threat,” he said.

Separately, a Lebanese army source told AFP that Israeli ground forces had advanced into border areas on Tuesday. According to the source, troops moved in from Kfar Kila and the Khiam plains along the Lebanon-Israel frontier. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, voiced concern that the operation could signal an attempt by Israel to establish a broader security belt in southern Lebanon.

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The reported incursion follows instructions from Israel’s defence minister directing forces to “take control of additional strategic positions in Lebanon.” While Israeli officials framed the move as a security measure aimed at protecting border communities, Lebanese authorities have raised alarm over potential violations of sovereignty and the risk of wider confrontation.

The border region has witnessed periodic flare-ups in recent months, with exchanges of fire and cross-border operations intensifying amid the broader regional conflict. Observers warn that the creation of a buffer zone could alter the fragile security balance along the frontier, increasing the possibility of further military escalation if diplomatic efforts fail to contain tensions.

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