Israel's defense minister has said a buffer zone will be set up inside southern Lebanon and that Israel will keep security control over a swathe of the territory even after the end of the current war against the armed group Hezbollah.
Israel Katz said the area to be occupied would go up to the Litani River in southern Lebanon - about 30km (18.6 miles) from the border with Israel.
He also said all houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border would be demolished.
Lebanon's Defence Minister Maj Gen Michel Menassa said Katz's remarks reflected 'a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory'. European nations, Canada, and the UN also criticized Israel's announcement.
Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on 2 March and has also been launching broad strikes across the country.
The action was taken after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israel's assassination of Iran's supreme leader in late February, at the start of the war with Iran.
Since early March, at least 1,238 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry, including at least 124 children. The UN's humanitarian affairs office reports that 52 health workers have also died.
Israeli officials state that the goal is to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks. However, Katz's comments about creating a buffer zone and demolishing homes signal a significant escalation in Israel's military intentions in the region.
