Israeli threats to occupy or annex south Lebanon dust off a decades-old playbook

Hawkish Israeli politicians are urging the military to intensify its campaign against Hezbollah and establish a permanent presence in southern Lebanon. On April 5, 18 Israeli lawmakers pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River and "evacuate" the Lebanese population. This follows a call from Finance Minister Bezalel Yoel Smotrich for outright annexation of southern Lebanon. Israel's campaign continues despite a two-week ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump on April 7, which mediators indicated was meant to apply to Lebanon. Historically, influential Zionist leaders like David Ben-Gurion and Chaim Weizmann advocated for Israel's borders to extend to the Litani River, which is about 108 miles long and serves as Lebanon's main water source.