The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced on Tuesday that five of its soldiers were wounded, including two in critical condition, after an Israeli strike struck a military vehicle in southern Lebanon, marking the first direct hit on the national army since this round of fighting began on March 2.
According to an official statement published by the Lebanese Army on its verified X account, the strike occurred in the area of Qaqaiyat al-Jisr in the Nabatieh district. The soldiers were reportedly inside a vehicle during their return from duty when they were hit. They were later transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Local media reports indicated that the attack was carried out by an Israeli drone, raising concerns over the expanding scope of Israeli operations beyond Hezbollah targets.
The strike on Lebanese army personnel represents a notable development in the conflict, which has largely centered on confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah.
There has been no detailed Israeli comment yet addressing the strike on the Lebanese army unit.
Widening Military Operations in Southern Lebanon
The incident comes as Israel intensifies its military campaign across southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces confirmed the expansion of ground operations, with the deployment of the 36th Division alongside the 91st Division in what the military described as efforts to “remove threats” and enhance security for northern Israeli communities.
Simultaneously, Israeli airstrikes continued to hit multiple villages, including Dbine, Qanaarit, and Qaqaiyat al-Jisr, as well as areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut earlier in the day.
Air raid sirens were also reported across northern Israel, including Nahariya and parts of the Galilee, following rocket launches from Lebanese territory.
Humanitarian Toll and Mass Displacement
The escalation has deepened an already severe humanitarian crisis.
According to Lebanese health authorities, at least 886 people have been killed since the start of the renewed hostilities on March 2, including women and children, while more than 2,100 have been injured.
Displacement continues to surge, with over one million people registered as displaced and more than 130,000 currently sheltering in over 600 collective centers.
Israel has also issued wide-scale evacuation warnings covering areas extending up to 40 kilometers from the border, further accelerating civilian displacement.
Expanding War Dynamics
The latest developments unfold within the broader regional war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent involvement of Hezbollah.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated that operations would continue until security is guaranteed in northern Israel, warning that displaced Lebanese civilians may not return to areas south of the Litani River until those conditions are met.
At the same time, Israeli forces have been ordered to push deeper into southern Lebanon, signaling a potential long-term military presence along the border.
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