Israel says it will seize parts of southern Lebanon as ‘defensive buffer’
Hopes of de-escalation dim as Israeli PM also vows to keep striking Iran, even as Trump talks up deal hopes Middle East crisis – live updates Israel said on Tuesday it would seize parts of southern Lebanon to create what it called a “defensive buffer”, while Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Iran, dimming hopes of de-escalation even as Donald Trump talked up the prospects of a deal to end the conflict. During a meeting with the military chief of staff, Israel defence minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would “control the remaining bridges and the security zone up to the Litani”, a river in Lebanon that meets the Mediterranean about 30km (20 miles) north of Israel’s border. Continue reading...