Israel declares its forces are conducting ‘offensive action’ in southern Lebanon | Global News

Israeli forces are carrying out “offensive action” in southern Lebanon, according to Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. While it is unclear if ground troops have crossed the border, Gallant stated that many forces are deployed on the border and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are currently conducting offensive operations throughout southern Lebanon.

Gallant also claimed that “half of Hezbollah’s commanders in southern Lebanon have been eliminated” during months of violence, with the other half in hiding and abandoning the field to IDF operations. The Israeli army reported striking 40 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including storage facilities and weaponry.

The strikes come after Hezbollah fired a fresh barrage of rockets across the border, following a strike that killed two civilians which the group blamed on Israel. Hezbollah member of parliament Hassan Fadlallah stated during a funeral procession in southern Lebanon that “the targeting of civilians… cannot happen without a concrete response,” emphasizing their readiness for any scenario.

Cross-border exchanges of fire have escalated since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, triggering war in Gaza. Hezbollah has been launching near-daily attacks against Israel in support of Hamas, resulting in casualties on both sides of the border.

The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people and has claimed the lives of hundreds, including Hezbollah fighters, civilians, Israeli soldiers, and civilians. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in military actions.