March 25, 2026, Washington, DC — Plans to extend Israeli control in Lebanon to the Litani River would mark a fundamental shift in the conflict, risking a prolonged, and destabilizing occupation that violates Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermines prospects for peace between the two countries.
Such a move would not resolve the underlying security challenge, redrawing instead the conflict in ways that increase long-term risks, displacing large populations, undermining already fragile Lebanese state institutions, and creating the very conditions in which Hezbollah regains strength and legitimacy.
Neither Lebanon’s stability nor Israel’s security will be secured through territorial control or actions that undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty. They depend on a strong Lebanese state exercising authority over its territory, a strengthened Lebanese Armed Forces, and credible, enforceable arrangements along the border that reduce the risk of renewed escalation.
This requires a shift away from open-ended military action toward a defined political horizon. Without it, the conflict will become more difficult and more costly to contain. The priority now has to be preventing further escalation, restoring conditions for diplomacy, and advancing a framework that can deliver lasting peace and security on both sides of the border.
Lebanon has made clear its commitment to pursuing peace and security. The way forward is de-escalation and a credible commitment to serious negotiations under US leadership.