Israel Expands Southern Lebanon Control in Escalation Against Hezbollah

Israel has announced that its forces will take control of a large portion of southern Lebanon as part of an intensified campaign against Hezbollah, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz.

Katz said Israeli troops have destroyed five bridges over the Litani River, located roughly 30km from the Israeli border, in what he described as an effort to disrupt Hezbollah’s movement of fighters and weapons. He added that a security zone would be established in the south, preventing displaced residents from returning until northern Israel is deemed secure.

The move marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with Katz stating that Israeli forces are “manoeuvring into Lebanese territory” to establish a forward defensive line. He said the objective includes eliminating Hezbollah infrastructure and maintaining a buffer area to protect Israeli communities near the border.

The latest fighting follows months of cross-border violence triggered after Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, launched rockets toward northern Israel in response to earlier Israeli strikes and regional tensions. The exchanges have continued despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

Israeli officials say the renewed campaign is aimed at securing evacuated towns in northern Israel, many of which were previously abandoned due to sustained rocket fire. However, the expanded military footprint raises the prospect of prolonged displacement on both sides of the border.

Lebanese authorities report that the conflict has had a severe humanitarian impact. More than 1,000 people have been killed in southern Lebanon, including children and health workers, and over one million residents have been forced to flee their homes.

Katz said displaced civilians in southern Lebanon would not be permitted to return south of the Litani River until Israel’s security concerns are addressed. He described the strategy as creating a “defensive space” to keep threats away from Israeli territory.

The escalation signals a widening and more entrenched phase of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, with military operations now extending deeper into Lebanese territory and raising fears of long-term regional instability.