Beirut: The Israeli army is intensifying its military operations in southern Lebanon, establishing additional military positions and conducting home demolitions in a manner reminiscent of its recent assault on the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli media reports, this expansion of ground operations has been ongoing since March 2, with the deployment of five divisions aimed at reaching the Litani River to create a 'buffer security zone,' despite facing significant resistance from Hezbollah fighters.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Haaretz newspaper reported that the Israeli army has recently increased its presence in southern Lebanon and along the border, maintaining control over five border hilltops since the 2024 ceasefire. Testimonies suggest that the army is establishing additional positions within Lebanese territory, with expectations of doubling their number. However, these developments have raised concerns among Israeli officers and soldiers, who warned of potential flashpoints for ongoing confrontations with Hezbollah, leading to increased vulnerability to ground attacks, rocket fire, drones, and anti-tank missiles.
Haaretz, citing unnamed senior military sources, noted that Israeli forces began redeploying inside Lebanese territory under political directives after the onset of the war with Iran on February 28. Soldiers have entered Lebanese villages approximately 20 kilometers south of the Litani River and continue to operate there. The army initially intended to present a plan for a security zone in southern Lebanon, in line with political directives. Despite this, the army denies any formal plans for a permanent security zone post-conflict.
Commanders and soldiers on the ground in Lebanon have likened the ongoing offensive to the assault on Gaza. Engineering units and bulldozers are reportedly demolishing buildings near the border fence to clear areas for position-building and buffer zone creation. An Israeli military source mentioned that success in these operations is measured by the number of buildings destroyed daily, though the necessity of such a large force remains unclear.
Israeli Army Radio reported that senior military officials are planning to intensify ground operations in southern Lebanon, expanding beyond the current positions in second- and third-line villages. Currently, the area under Israeli control extends about 10 kilometers from the border, with aims to target deeper villages to reduce threats to northern Israel. However, army data indicates that a significant portion of Hezbollah fire originates north of the Litani River, casting doubt on the effectiveness of deeper operations in reducing attacks.
The Israeli government has yet to finalize a decision on these plans. Meanwhile, the army has issued evacuation orders for Lebanese residents south of the Litani and Zahrani Rivers as operations continue to expand. In a significant diplomatic move, Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Israel's offensive since March 2 killing at least 2,124 people and injuring nearly 7,000 in Lebanon, following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah, despite the 2024 ceasefire agreement. Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some since the previous conflict between October 2023 and November the following year.