The Israeli Army has started to operate on the ground past the “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon on Tuesday as Israeli officials express their intent to intensify operations against Hezbollah amid persistent threats.
According to AFP, citing an Israeli military official, the Israeli Army began to expand its operations in southern Lebanon past the “Yellow Line,” roughly 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.
Israeli forces are reported to have advanced into the Zawtar area after airstrikes and artillery fire, according to AFP
The “Yellow Line” was delineated by Israeli officials in April to create a “forward defensive zone” in which it would operate after the April 16 ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.
Israeli officials have expressed concern over the threat of Hezbollah’s explosive kamikaze drones, citing its expansion of operations past the “Yellow Line” as a measure to neutralize the threat they pose to Israeli forces.
Israeli media reports that ground operations have been largely contained to this zone since the April 16 ceasefire, with some airstrikes extending past it during the ceasefire period.
Netanyahu Says Israel Will “Intensify the Strikes”
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a speech that Israel intends to “intensify the strikes” against Hezbollah, remarking that Israel will “press the pedal even harder.”
Overnight, the Israeli Army struck over 100 pieces of infrastructure linked to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, including weapons storage facilities, observation posts, and operational headquarters, according to the army’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X.
The Israeli Army has carried out a large wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday as part of its escalation with Hezbollah.
Attacks have increased in intensity with the increased targeting of infrastructure. The road connecting Mashghara and Sohmor to Qaraoun in the western Bekaa Valley was cut off by an airstrike on Tuesday afternoon.
In addition, a wave of attacks were carried out across southern Lebanon shortly after, including near Khirbet Selm, Haboush, Toluene, Deir al-Zahrani, Kfar Remman, Zawtar, Meifadoun, Shoukin, and Kfar Tibnit.
Airstrikes have also extended into Nabatieh city following an evacuation call from the Israeli army.
The Israeli army has extended its evacuation calls further into Lebanon, issuing a warning to residents of over 13 towns as far north as Sidon to move north of the Zahrani river.
Ground operations have been reported on Tuesday in the region near Haddatha, close to Lebanese Speaker of Parliament and Amal Party leader Nabih Berri’s hometown of Tebnine.
The Israeli Army also carried out strikes near the crusader-era Beaufort Castle near Nabatieh, a site significant in its usage by Israel, the PLO, and Hezbollah alike.
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