Israel Expands Military Presence in Lebanon After Hezbollah Escalation

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has pushed its troops further into southern Lebanon, moving beyond the five posts it currently holds. This shift is part of a new forward defense strategy aimed at blocking potential attacks from the Hezbollah group, which has begun launching rockets and drones toward northern Israel. The escalation follows Iran’s support for Hezbollah and Israel’s recent air strikes that killed a senior Iranian military figure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the move to secure Israeli communities along the border. They stated that advancing soldiers into Lebanon would create a protective buffer zone and deter Hezbollah’s fire on Israeli towns. The IDF’s 91st “Galilee” Regional Division has taken positions near the border, and the Northern Command is working to establish an additional layer of security for residents. In response, the Lebanese army has pulled back soldiers from newly set up border posts. Reports indicate that eight to nine troops at each location were moved back to their bases due to safety concerns. This redeployment reflects the heightened tension and the risk posed by the IDF’s expanded operations. The Israeli Air Force carried out a series of extensive strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Overnight and early Tuesday, the air force hit weapons depots, command centers, and satellite communication sites used by Hezbollah’s intelligence division. The strikes also targeted the studios of Al-Manar TV and the Al-Nour radio station, which are owned by Hezbollah. Before striking these sites, the IDF issued evacuation warnings to reduce civilian harm.Over the past 24 hours, the IDF reported hitting more than 160 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. These included members of the group’s elite Radwan Force, command centers for planning attacks, and operational bases. Lebanese media also reported fresh strikes in the area, with the IDF urging dozens of villages to evacuate. A notable casualty was Reza Khazaei, a senior officer in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. The IDF claims that his death resulted from a naval strike in Beirut on Monday. Khazaei had been involved in coordinating Hezbollah’s rebuilding of offensive capabilities after the 2023–2024 war with Israel. Hezbollah continued to launch rockets and drones toward Israel on Tuesday. A 64‑year‑old man was lightly injured when a rocket struck his home in the Galilee Panhandle, and three others received treatment for anxiety. Some rockets were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, while others hit open areas as per protocol. Hezbollah drones targeted an Israeli air traffic control base on Mount Meron, the Ramat David Airbase, and a base in the Golan Heights. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that Beirut’s decision to ban Hezbollah’s military activities is a sovereign, final act. The Council of Ministers has tasked the army and security forces with enforcing this ban across all regions, though concrete actions on the ground remain unclear.