Israeli officials confirm authorization for troops to seize additional territory across the northern border following renewed Hezbollah missile launches and the reported collapse of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israel’s government announced Tuesday that it has authorized its military to move ground forces into southern Lebanon and assume control of additional areas along the border, citing continued rocket attacks by Hezbollah targeting northern Israeli communities.
Air raid sirens sounded across the Galilee region Tuesday morning as rockets fired from Lebanese territory struck northern Israel, according to live updates from The Times of Israel.
In a formal statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “approved the IDF to advance and take control of additional areas in Lebanon to prevent firing on Israeli border settlements.”
Katz stated Hezbollah would “pay a heavy price” for launching rockets into Israeli territory and added, “We promised security for the Galilee settlements, and so it will be done.”
The Israel Defense Forces said overnight operations included “extensive airstrikes” against Hezbollah command centers, propaganda offices and weapons depots in Beirut. According to the military, the targeted sites were operating under civilian cover but were classified as terrorist infrastructure. The IDF said, “Prior to the strike, steps were taken to reduce the chance of harm to civilians, including advance warnings, use of precision munitions, and aerial observations.”
Earlier Monday evening, Katz warned that Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah had been “marked for elimination” for authorizing attacks on Israeli civilians. He further cautioned that other armed groups responding to Iran’s call to escalate hostilities would face similar consequences, stating they would be taken out as the United States took out Iran’s leadership and sent to “the depths of hell.”
Hezbollah, for its part, said it launched “a large missile salvo” targeting the Golan Heights and northern Israel.
Israel has also reportedly deployed a newly introduced laser-based air defense system described in reports as a “game-changing” weapon, marking what has been characterized as its first operational use in intercepting incoming rockets.
Britain’s state broadcaster BBC reported that Israel’s advance into Lebanese territory effectively ends the 2024 ceasefire negotiated between the two countries under the administration of President Joe Biden.
At the time the ceasefire was reached, public reaction within Israel was divided. Some residents welcomed a halt in fighting, while others questioned whether it would deliver long-term security along the border. The agreement remained disputed in the months that followed, with Israel accusing Lebanon of failing to withdraw forces northward as required, and Lebanese officials alleging Israeli positions along the frontier amounted to continued occupation.
The ground operation marks a significant escalation along Israel’s northern border, as both sides exchange fire following months of fragile calm.
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