Israel said on Tuesday it would seize parts of southern Lebanon to create what it called a “defensive buffer”, while Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Iran, dimming hopes of de-escalation even as Donald Trump talked up the prospects of a deal to end the conflict.During a meeting with the military chief of staff, Israel defence minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would “control the remaining bridges and the security zone up to the Litani”, a river in Lebanon that meets the Mediterranean about 30km (20 miles) north of Israel’s border.Katz’s remarks appeared to suggest the presence of Israeli troops could become prolonged, with Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed armed group, calling the move an “existential threat” to the Lebanese state.Katz added all bridges over the Litani river, which he said had been used by Hezbollah to move operatives and weapons into southern Lebanon, “have been blown up and the IDF will control the remaining bridges”.Smoke rises from the Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv. Photograph: Nicolas Garcia/AFP/Getty ImagesThe previous day, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, said Israel should “apply sovereignity” areas in southern Lebanon, signalling an expansionist vision that has alarmed critics at home and abroad.The news of Israel taking control of areas in southern Lebanon comes as tensions between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah escalated on Tuesday after the government expelled Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, declaring him persona non grata and ordering him to leave by Sunday.The unprecedented move reflects a break from decades of Iranian influence. Prime minister Nawaf Salam urged Hezbollah to halt attacks on Israel, saying avenging Iran’s leadership “has nothing to do with us”. Hezbollah condemned the decision as serving Israel and deepening divisions, as fears grow of renewed internal conflict in the country amid escalating regional war.Lebanon has found itself pulled further into the regional conflict with Iran as Israel bombs the country and fights Hezbollah in the south. On Tuesday afternoon, residents of the northern city of Jounieh emerged from their homes confused as explosions rang out along the coastal area.