Israel announces ground operations in southern Lebanon after the Israeli military confirmed that its 91st Brigade has begun a new phase of military activity aimed at expanding what it calls a “forward defence zone” along the border.
The announcement came through a statement posted on X by the Israel Defense Forces, which said the operations had begun “in recent days.” According to the military, the mission focuses on targeting and destroying infrastructure linked to Hezbollah and removing what it described as threats to Israeli communities living close to the border area.
Officials said the objective of the operation is to create what they described as an “additional security layer” for residents in northern Israel. The border between Israel and Lebanon has remained highly volatile since the start of wider regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and rising hostilities involving armed groups in the region.
The Israeli military did not immediately disclose how many troops are involved in the ground operations or the exact locations where the operations are taking place in southern Lebanon.
However, security analysts say the involvement of the 91st Brigade suggests a significant operational deployment focused on border security and targeted strikes.
The move represents an escalation in cross-border tensions that have intensified over the past several weeks. Israeli forces have conducted frequent air strikes in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has launched rockets and other projectiles across the border into northern Israel.
According to the Lebanon Ministry of Public Health, Israeli attacks on Lebanon since February 28 have resulted in at least 850 deaths. The ministry said those killed include 66 women, 107 children and 32 health workers.
In addition to the fatalities, the ministry reported that at least 2,105 people have been wounded in the ongoing attacks. The humanitarian situation has also deteriorated rapidly, with more than 800,000 people forced to flee their homes due to the fighting.
Aid organisations say the large-scale displacement has placed heavy pressure on communities and relief systems across Lebanon, particularly in areas already struggling with economic hardship and limited infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has accused Israel of widening the conflict and targeting civilian areas, while Israeli officials insist that their operations are aimed at dismantling military infrastructure used to launch attacks against Israeli territory.
The escalation has raised concerns among international observers that clashes between Israel and Hezbollah could grow into a wider regional conflict. Diplomatic efforts by several governments and international organisations are continuing in an attempt to prevent further escalation.
Security experts say the latest ground operations signal Israel’s determination to push Hezbollah fighters and weapons infrastructure further away from its northern border. However, analysts warn that ground activity inside Lebanon carries the risk of triggering stronger retaliation from Hezbollah.
Despite the growing tensions, both sides have so far avoided a full-scale war similar to the one fought between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. However, the continuing exchanges of fire and now the start of ground operations suggest the situation remains highly unstable.
Observers say developments along the Israel-Lebanon border will likely remain a key flashpoint in the wider Middle East conflict in the coming weeks, particularly as international pressure mounts to contain the violence and prevent a broader regional war.
In response to the announcement, officials in Lebanon said the continued Israeli military operations risk deepening the humanitarian crisis already unfolding in the country’s southern regions.
Local authorities reported that many towns near the border have been largely emptied as residents flee repeated bombardments and the growing presence of troops and military equipment in surrounding areas.
International organisations, including the United Nations, have also expressed concern over the escalating violence and the potential impact on civilians.
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UN officials have called for restraint from all sides and urged renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding further, warning that continued fighting could destabilise the broader Middle East region.
Security analysts note that the intensifying clashes between the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah are unfolding against the backdrop of wider geopolitical tensions in the region.
They caution that without sustained diplomatic intervention, the current ground operations in southern Lebanon could further inflame hostilities and complicate ongoing attempts to restore stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.
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