Calls are growing among illegal settlers in northern occupied Palestine for the expansion of Israeli operations into southern Lebanon, with open calls for the annexation and the displacement of local populations.

According to a report by The Intercept, settlers in the Netu'a settlement, built on the lands of the forcibly depopulated villages of Dayr al-Qassi and al-Mansura, have expressed support for pushing the occupation further north into Lebanese territory.

“I want to occupy,” Eyal Adom, a settler in “Netu'a,” told the outlet. “Yes, occupy, the word nobody likes. I want to occupy southern Lebanon. Move all the Arabs from there, up to the Litani River.”

Escalation rhetoric and displacement advocacy

These statements come amid ongoing confrontations in southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese Resistance continues to prevent Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from advancing and establishing control over border areas.

Several settlers interviewed indicated that the fate of residents in southern Lebanon is not a concern, framing land seizure as the primary objective.

“The Arabs’ only motivation to stop fighting is if you take their land,” Adom said. “You kill them, it doesn’t matter. You hurt them, it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters. Only taking territories.”

At least seven settlers told The Intercept that they view the depopulation of southern Lebanon as necessary to secure their own presence, reinforcing narratives centered on displacement and territorial expansion.

Oranit Manasseh, another settler, stated that she hopes the IOF would “depopulate the south, get rid of Hezbollah, and keep the terrorists out.”

These calls follow the “Black Wednesday” attacks, an escalation in which Israeli forces launched over 100 airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting civilian areas.

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, the preliminary toll from those attacks reached approximately 357 martyrs and 1,223 wounded.

Calls for a 'security zone'

Parallel to these developments, calls for establishing a so-called “security zone” in southern Lebanon have gained traction among settlers and Israeli officials.

While such zones are presented by "Israel" as temporary buffer areas aimed at maintaining stability, they have historically served as a prelude to prolonged occupation.

Supporters of the proposal argue that such measures are necessary to prevent future attacks by Resistance groups.

“We all understand that if they reach our borders, it won’t stop there,” said Hila Kronos, an Israeli army reservist living in a border settlement. “Maybe not now, but in five or ten years, they could decide everything is calm and use that opportunity to attack 'Israel'.”

Military constraints and internal strain

Despite these calls, Israeli occupation forces are facing mounting operational challenges.

Military spokesperson Effie Defrin acknowledged in late March that the army is experiencing a manpower shortage of approximately 15,000 personnel, including thousands of combat troops, as it remains deployed across multiple fronts.

This strain, coupled with failed incursions into southern Lebanon, has reportedly impacted morale within the ranks, particularly following months of claims regarding the degradation of Hezbollah’s capabilities.

In parallel, settler groups have begun organizing around calls for expansion into Lebanon.

One such movement, “North Awaken,” advocates for settlement extending to the Litani River. The group has reportedly launched drones into southern Lebanon in recent months, in addition to staging border incursions aimed at promoting its agenda.

Hezbollah confronts occupation attempts

Since early March, Hezbollah has continued to engage Israeli forces attempting to advance into southern Lebanon, maintaining positions in key sites and preventing infiltration attempts, including in the Bekaa region.

This comes despite a sustained narrative by "Israel" and its allies following the November 2024 ceasefire, which claimed that Hezbollah’s capabilities had been significantly diminished.

The Lebanese Resistance has continued to carry out rocket and drone operations targeting Israeli military positions and settlements, while also engaging in direct confrontations with advancing forces.

Source:Websites