South Lebanon: Families flee buffer zones as new withdrawal plan is proposed

In South Lebanon, families are increasingly abandoning villages located in ‘yellow zones’—buffer areas established along the Blue Line following the November 2024 ceasefire. These areas, which the Israeli military intended to monitor through local relays and historical networks, are seeing a demographic shift as residents cite economic precariousness, isolation, and fear of reprisals as primary reasons for leaving.

Amidst this instability, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has proposed a specific three-step sequence to resolve the impasse in the south. Speaking to the American Task Force for Lebanon, Berri suggested that Israel must first halt operations and withdraw to the international border. This would be followed by the immediate deployment of the Lebanese Army, which would serve as the sole armed force in the region south of the Litani River.

While the proposal aims to prevent a security vacuum, it faces significant hurdles. Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected withdrawal without the prior disarmament of Hezbollah. Additionally, the political landscape in Israel remains complex ahead of upcoming elections, complicating the negotiation process.