Israel is seeking to divide southern Lebanon into multiple zones as part of a potential deal with Beirut, including the creation of a buffer zone aimed at disarming Hezbollah, even as Lebanon pushes for an immediate ceasefire.
Lebanon and Israel agreed to begin negotiations after an initial meeting in Washington on Tuesday, a rare development between the two sides, who have technically been at war for decades.
The two countries have sharply different priorities: Lebanon is pressing for a ceasefire and the return of around one million displaced people, while Israel is demanding the complete disarmament of Hezbollah.
Israeli officials have signalled they will continue striking Lebanon and will not withdraw from the south, which remains under occupation, until the Iran-backed group is dismantled. They argue that a buffer zone several kilometres deep is necessary to secure Israel’s northern border.
Israeli forces now control large swathes of the frontier in southern Lebanon, advancing further inland amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah. What does Israel want? According to reports in Israeli media, former Israeli minister Ron Dermer submitted a proposal that would divide Lebanon into three zones, entrenching a prolonged Israeli military presence in parts of the south.
Under the plan, the first zone would see Israeli forces maintain control up to around eight kilometres deep, with bases and a heavy troop presence for an extended period, effectively formalising a buffer zone inside Lebanese territory.
Dozens of Lebanese towns and villages along the frontier have already been flattened , with Israeli forces continuing to demolish homes and civilian infrastructure in border areas.
In the second zone, stretching from this line to the Litani River , Israeli forces would continue what Dermer described as “clearing” operations against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.
Israeli troops would gradually withdraw only from areas where operations are deemed complete, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy.
The third zone, north of the Litani River, would cover the rest of Lebanon, where responsibility for disarming Hezbollah would fall to the Lebanese army.
Israel has made clear it will not fully withdraw before Hezbollah is neutralised militarily.
The proposal echoes Israel’s approach in Gaza, where it continues to occupy large parts of the territory while dividing it into zones and pressing armed groups to disarm.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected any surrender of its weapons before Israel halts its attacks, withdraws from the south, and displaced civilians are able to return home.
Israel previously occupied southern Lebanon for 18 years between 1982 and 2000. Hezbollah disarmament tied to political settlement Lebanon is expected to prioritise an end to hostilities, a full Israeli withdrawal, and the return of displaced civilians as core demands in any negotiations.
Speaking to Sky News, Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh said the government had begun addressing the issue of Hezbollah's weapons last year, but stressed that it cannot be resolved in "hours or days."
"You need time not because you want to procrastinate, but because this particular armed group is well armed and has been arming and training itself for 43 years," he said.
Salameh argued that the issue goes beyond Hezbollah’s weapons, pointing to the broader weakness of the Lebanese state.
"The problem in Lebanon is not only weapons, but the weakness of the state," he said, adding that sovereignty depends on the ability of state institutions to exercise authority across the country.
While disarming Hezbollah remains a central demand for Israel and its allies, Salameh said it cannot be addressed in isolation.
"You cannot deal with Hezbollah’s arms separately from the overall political situation," he said, stressing the need for a broader national settlement.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the government have sought to avoid internal conflict over the issue, wary of the risks of confrontation.
Salameh added that Lebanon’s position is shaped by wider regional tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
"Lebanon cannot isolate itself from these conflicts," he said.
As a result, Lebanon is likely to focus on immediate priorities such as ending the violence and stabilising the country, while leaving more contentious issues, including Hezbollah’s weapons, to a longer-term political process.
"What is needed is a political solution, not a military one," he said, adding that any lasting settlement would also require institutional reform and rebuilding the Lebanese state.
Salameh expressed cautious optimism that a solution could eventually be reached.
"I’m confident that a day will come, not very far from today, where a new national consensus on how to best defend this country’s autonomy and sovereignty will be reached, and Hezbollah will be part of it."