Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has suggested that the country should expand its territory into southern Lebanon as part of efforts to eliminate the militant group Hezbollah.
Speaking on March 23, 2026, Smotrich stated that Israel’s northern border should be moved up to the Litani River, located about 40 kilometers inside Lebanon from the current frontier.
The remarks come amid ongoing military operations launched by Israel earlier in March aimed at dismantling Hezbollah, which has intensified attacks in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during the broader regional conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the United States.
According to human rights monitors, more than 3,200 people have been killed since the conflict escalated, including over 1,400 civilians. Lebanese authorities report that Israeli strikes in the past two weeks alone have killed around 880 people, injured 2,000 others, and displaced nearly one million residents.
Israel has urged civilians in southern Lebanon to move north of the Litani River as it prepares to intensify both ground and aerial operations against Hezbollah positions.
Smotrich emphasized that the military campaign should not only weaken Hezbollah but also redefine Israel’s borders, signaling a potential long-term shift in the region’s geopolitical landscape.