Israel's Defence Minister says military plans will create a defensive buffer in southern Lebanon, occupying nearly a tenth of the country.

<img alt="An overview of the destruction on a neighbourhood with buildings." height="349" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/73f59ea5-d5ec-4bc6-a05c-b8211e47daaf,1774371107006/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C202%2C3882%2C2183%29%3BResize%3D%28620%29" title="An overview of the destruction following overnight Israeli airstrikes that targeted Beirut&apos;s southern suburbs Haret Hreik neighborhood on March 24, 2026. Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Iran-backed Hezbollah began ...