Israel Plans Lebanon Security Zone

0:00Israel's defense minister has outlined plans for the military to seize control of southern Lebanon, stretching from the blue-line border to the Lytani River. The goal is to establish a security zone aimed at shielding northern Israel from attacks by the Iranian-backed group, Hezbollah. In a recent briefing, the minister revealed that Israeli forces have already destroyed five bridges over the Lytani River, which they say, Hezbollah. Used for operations, Israel now plans to secure all remaining river crossings to prevent further threats. Southern Lebanese residents are worried this could lead to a long-term occupation, much like the one Israel maintained in the area from 19, 82 to 2000. Many fear a repeat of that two-decade presence. The conflict escalated three weeks ago when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel to support Iran. Since then, Israeli strikes have displaced more than one million people inside Lebanon and killed over 1,000, including more than 100 children.

1:00As tensions remain high along the border, both sides continue to brace for what comes next in this volatile standoff. That's the story for today. Sydney News Today, driven by AI, I'm Cory with the story.