Tel Aviv: Israeli army's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has approved the expansion of the ground incursion in southern Lebanon, state broadcaster KAN reported on Sunday. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah forces in the region. According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli army initially began "limited, localized, and targeted" ground raids into southern Lebanon on October 1. These raids followed a series of heavy airstrikes against what Israel claimed to be Hezbollah targets, marking an escalation in the year-long cross-border warfare that has intensified since the start of the Gaza war. Health authorities have reported that more than 3,100 people have been killed and over 13,800 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since October 2023. The ongoing conflict has raised international concerns and calls for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.