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

Israeli forces are intensifying their “offensive action” in southern Lebanon, according to Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. While it remains unclear if ground troops have crossed the border, Gallant stated that multiple forces are deployed along the border and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are currently engaged in offensive operations throughout southern Lebanon.

Gallant also claimed that half of Hezbollah’s commanders in southern Lebanon have been eliminated in recent months of violence, forcing the remaining half to go into hiding and retreat from IDF operations. The Israeli army reported striking 40 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including storage facilities and weaponry in the area around Aita al-Shaab.

The escalation comes after Hezbollah fired a fresh barrage of rockets across the border in response to a strike that killed two civilians, which the group attributed to Israel. Hezbollah member of parliament Hassan Fadlallah emphasized the group’s readiness for any scenario and vowed to respond to attacks on civilians.

Cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified since Hamas’s attack on Israel in October, leading to at least 380 deaths in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters and civilians. Israel has reported 11 soldiers and eight civilians killed on its side of the border, with tens of thousands displaced on both sides.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in military actions, with the international community closely monitoring the developments in the region.