Israel said it may occupy southern Lebanon for a long time. On March 24, the Israeli government said its military will seize control south of the Litani river.

Israeli forces are setting up a military zone about 30 kilometres wide. Israel's defence minister says Lebanese residents cannot return home yet.

Northern Israel must be safe before they can return. Israel has killed at least 1,039 people in over three weeks of fighting.

More than a million people have been displaced. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, has vowed to fight back.