Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an expansion of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, citing ongoing rocket fire from Hezbollah and growing security threats along the border.
In a video statement from the Israeli Northern Command, Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to widen its current operations.
“I have now instructed to further expand the existing security zone,” he said, aiming to push threats further away from Israel’s border.
Israel had already announced plans last week to expand a buffer zone reaching the Litani River.
However, it remains unclear whether the latest directive involves extending control beyond this area or consolidating positions within it.
The prime minister’s office has not provided further details, and the move has yet to be discussed by Israel’s security cabinet.
Hezbollah rocket fire triggers response
The escalation follows continued rocket attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The group began firing rockets into Israel after the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran, opening another front in the broader regional conflict.
Rising casualties on both sides
According to sources familiar with Hezbollah’s internal figures, more than 400 of its fighters have been killed since clashes began on March 2.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes and ground operations have killed over 1,100 people in Lebanon, including women, children, and medical personnel, as per Lebanon’s health ministry.
The Israeli military has reported the deaths of four of its soldiers in southern Lebanon fighting.
Netanyahu said the expanded operation is intended to strengthen Israel’s northern security.
“We eliminated thousands of Hezbollah terrorists,” he said, adding that Israel had significantly reduced the threat posed by an estimated 150,000 missiles and rockets.
However, he acknowledged that Hezbollah still retains the ability to launch attacks.
Netanyahu described the situation as part of a broader multi-front conflict involving Iran and its allied groups.
These include Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, both of which Israel says are being weakened through ongoing military operations.
