On March 23, 2026, the minister said that the border between Israel and Lebanon should be moved to the Litani River, located about 40 kilometers from the current border inside Lebanese territory.
In early March 2026, Israel launched a full-scale military campaign against Hezbollah.
The group had initiated attacks on Israel, claiming they were in retaliation for the killing of Ali Khamenei during the ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the United States.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 3,200 people have been killed so far, including 1,400 civilians.
Israel has urged residents in southern Lebanon to move south of the Litani River, as it prepares to launch intensified operations against Hezbollah.
Lebanese authorities report that Israeli strikes have killed 880 civilians over the past two weeks, injured 2,000 others, and displaced nearly one million people.
Smotrich stated, “I say this clearly: among all the proposals, Israel’s new border must be the Litani. These operations must change the situation not only for Hezbollah, but also for Israel’s borders.”
In recent days, Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, warned that Lebanon could lose part of its territory if it fails to disarm Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, on March 22, 2026, the Israeli military announced plans to expand its operations in Lebanon, both on the ground and in the air.
