Hi,
The new security zone in Lebanon that set by the yellow line by IDF, feels like a déjà vu for everyone above 40 years old (which includes me…). We already been in this situation with “Security Zone” (HaEzor HaBitachoni) from 1982 till 2000.
The 1982–2000 version of the security zone was about maintaining outposts (Sajur, Rehan, Beaufort and more) to keep Hezbollah away from Israel settlements along the border with Lebanon. You can say it worked, as most of the attacks were on Israel outposts in the zone.
The 2026 version, has the same goal of defending Israeli settlements along the border from attacks such October 7th on Gaza surroundings. Five IDF divisions are currently holding a belt in Southern Lebanon that mirrors the old zone but with a modern, brutal twist.
Unlike the old security zone, the new zone is about sterilization of the area – above and below ground. Just like in Gaza strip – all that is held till the yellow line is being demolished and wiped from ground (or below it). The assumption is that every building is either holding a weapon or used for Hezbollah militants – and it has been proven right.
This way when the residents of Metula and Manara return home they aren’t staring into the barrel of a Kornet anti-tank missile. As the villages that were used as a Hezbollah launchpad, are being neutralized to ensure that.
But there is an exception for the above exception. Those are several Christian communities in the south of Lebanon that are remained relatively untouched, by IDF forces. Those villages opposed Hezbollah along the way and there is no need to clear them from weapon or militants.
I a sense IDF is doing what UNIFIL and Lebanon army cannot do – push Hezbollah north and eliminate its threat. But security zones tend to be sticky and last longer than they meant to be. They become a strategic solution become a tactical solution. Just look on first security zone that lasted for about 18 years…
Are we back into this reality of holding a security zone in Lebanon with the costs of the daily death of our soldiers from drones and IED? Will be stuck again in the Lebanon mud for about 20 years? I do hope not. But with our current government set of mind – The political way is not a solution and the only of solving a problem is just use more and more power…
Take Care
Gad
IDF publishes the area of the front defense line where IDF forces are operating in southern Lebanon to prevent a direct threat to northern communities – The security zone (Source: IDF spokesman Whatapp channel)
With a total length of more than 140 meters: Division 146 forces destroyed an underground tunnel belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Ras Bida area (Source: www.idf.il)