Thursday, April 16th 2026

Economic interests outweigh the collapse of a state and human tragedy

Israel aims to implement the Gaza scenario in Lebanon through a well-thought-out strategy that calls for dividing the country into three zones of control.

Tel Aviv is trying to divide southern Lebanon into multiple zones as part of a possible deal with Beirut, including the creation of a Hezbollah zone aimed at disarming the buffer, even though Lebanon pushing for an immediate ceasefire.

Lebanon and Israel agreed to begin negotiations after an initial meeting in Washington on Tuesday, a rare development between two sides that have technically been at war for decades.

But the two countries have vastly different priorities. Lebanon is pushing for a ceasefire and the return to their homes of about a million displaced people, while Israel is demanding the complete disarmament of Hezbollah.

Israeli officials have signaled they will continue to attack Lebanon and will not withdraw from the south, which remains under occupation, until the Iran-backed group disbands. They argue that a buffer zone several kilometers deep is needed to secure Israel’s northern border.

Israeli forces currently control large parts of the border in southern Lebanon, advancing further inland amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah.

According to Israeli media reports, former Israeli minister Ron Dermer presented a proposal that would divide Lebanon into three zones, cementing a prolonged Israeli military presence in parts of the south.

According to the plan, the first zone would see Israeli forces maintain control up to about eight kilometers deep into the border, with bases and a heavy troop presence for an extended period, effectively formalizing a buffer zone inside Lebanese territory.

In the second zone, stretching from this line to the Litani River, Israeli forces would continue what Dermer described as “clearance” operations against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the third zone, north of the Litani River, would cover the rest of Lebanon, where the responsibility for disarming Hezbollah would fall to the Lebanese army.

This proposal reflects Israel’s approach to Gaza, where it continues to occupy large parts of the territory while dividing it into zones and putting pressure on armed groups to disarm.

Hezbollah has repeatedly refused any surrender of its weapons before Israel stops its attacks, withdraws from the south and displaced civilians are able to return home.

Israel also occupied South Lebanon between 1982-2000. It is very disturbing that this dangerous plan of fragmentation and occupation is not getting the attention it deserves in the Western chancelleries.

We are witnessing a reality where the US has been radicalized to the extreme and blindly follows Netanyahu’s agenda, giving free rein to any military movement, while Europe has been completely distanced in recent weeks from anything related to the conflict and the situation in the Middle East.

This European passivity, yes it is limited only to the protection of economic interests and is allowing the creation of an irreversible humanitarian and geopolitical crisis. /tesheshi

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Source: prizrenpost

Etiketa: Brief