Israeli Forces Storm Southern Lebanon
Ground troops crossed into Lebanese territory at multiple positions along the border as part of what the Israeli military described as an "enhanced forward defense posture" — a move officials say is designed to strengthen security for Israeli residents in frontier communities.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had jointly authorized the military to "advance and secure additional strategic areas in Lebanon," signaling a significant expansion of operations. Katz framed the advance as a defensive measure aimed at establishing new positions inside Lebanese territory to shield Israeli border towns.
At approximately 8:00 a.m. local time, an Israeli force comprising a tank and three military bulldozers breached the Blue Line — the demarcation separating Israel and Lebanon — penetrating roughly 1 kilometer into Lebanese soil, Lebanese security sources and eyewitnesses told media.
According to those sources, "the force moved toward the town of Tal al-Nahas, located between the village of Adaisseh and the town of Burj al-Muluk in the eastern sector of the southern border region, before carrying out bulldozing operations in the area." They further noted that "the Lebanese army is monitoring the movement of the Israeli force."
Katz warned Tuesday that the military would continue to "operate forcefully" against Hezbollah targets and that the group would pay "a heavy price" for launching projectiles at Israel on Monday.
The cross-border exchange intensified after Hezbollah unleashed missiles and drones toward Israel overnight Sunday into Monday — concurrent with joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. The group claimed the attacks were retaliatory, citing the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed at least 52 fatalities resulting from Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions. Israel reported no casualties from Hezbollah's fire.
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