Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he has instructed the army to intensify its ground operations in southern Lebanon. The move escalates conflict with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, despite a weak ceasefire coming into effect just six weeks ago.
The move comes amid one of the most intense clashes since a ceasefire in April. Hezbollah fired rockets and drones at northern Israel, prompting school closures and security restrictions across the region. In its latest advance, Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old historic Beaufort Fort and a key strategic hill, according to the Israeli military.
“I have instructed the military to expand its ground campaign in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
The fighting is the biggest extension of the broader conflict involving Iran. According to Lebanese officials, Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones at Israel on March 2 in solidarity with its ally Iran. In response, Israel also carried out attacks and ordered people to move to safe places, due to which more than 1.2 million Lebanese people were displaced. According to the Lebanese government report, more than 3,370 people have lost their lives in this violence in Lebanon. Israel has reported 24 soldiers and four civilians killed in the same period, while thousands of Israeli residents in the north have been forced to flee their homes due to continued cross-border shelling.
A ceasefire aimed at curbing violence that began earlier this year has repeatedly weakened due to violations by both sides. Sunday’s announcement signals Israel’s determination to pursue its objectives, even as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to stabilize the border.
Regional tensions remain, and there are concerns that further action could further complicate weak international mediation efforts, and involve other parties. Civilians on both sides, Israeli and Lebanese, are bearing the brunt of this insecurity; Entire communities on both sides of the border are living under the shadow of resumed hostilities.