Israel establishes buffer zone in southern Lebanon, raising occupation fears

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri condemned Israel's control of southern Lebanese territory and rejected Israel's proposed "yellow line" buffer zone, which Israeli military maps show extends several kilometers into Lebanon where Israel seeks to exclude Hezbollah presence. The Israeli military has begun leveling villages in the zone to enforce control. Berri and Lebanese officials fear the arrangement could become a long-term occupation similar to Israel's presence in Gaza. The developments mark a significant escalation in Israeli-Lebanese tensions and raise questions about the sustainability of any ceasefire agreement.