The Architecture of Security: Israel Rebuilds Its Northern Strategy

Israel is fundamentally redesigning the security architecture of its northern border, moving from a strategy of containment to one of active peace-building. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that the war with Hezbollah served as the demolition of the old, unstable structure, clearing the ground for a new foundation of agreements with Syria and Lebanon.
A key pillar in this new architecture is a stable, non-hostile Syria. The fall of the Assad regime has made this possible, allowing Israeli and Syrian negotiators to draft blueprints for a new relationship. A Syrian official has stated that they aim to finalize these plans, in the form of security and military pacts, by year’s end.
Another essential component is a sovereign Lebanon in full control of its territory. To this end, Israel continues to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure through targeted strikes. This is intended to support the Lebanese state as it lays its own foundation by disarming the militia, a process it has now officially begun.
Netanyahu explained this architectural vision to his cabinet. “The possibility of peace with our northern neighbours… was not even imagined before our recent operations,” he said, framing the war as necessary site preparation for this new construction. He confirmed “some progress” in laying the groundwork with Syria.
The blueprints are becoming reality. A demilitarized zone, a core element of the new design, is being negotiated with Syria. In Lebanon, the plan for the national army to assume control in the south is being put into action. These are the building blocks of a new, more secure northern border.