Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich calls for annexation of southern Lebanonannexation of southern Lebanon to Litani River

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Israel to annex southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, declaring it the new northern border. He made the remarks on March 23 amid intensifying Israeli military operations in the area, including airstrikes and plans for a security zone. The statements, the most explicit by a senior official, come as attacks have killed over 1,000 in Lebanon since early March and displaced more than 1 million people.