By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Israel has warned that the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians forced from their homes during the escalating conflict in southern Lebanon will not be allowed to return until Israeli communities near the border are considered safe.
The statement comes as Israeli troops continue to advance into new areas of southern Lebanon as part of what military officials describe as a “limited and targeted” campaign against the militant group .
Speaking during a media briefing, Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said Israeli forces have expanded ground operations into additional locations across southern Lebanon. According to the military, the objective of the campaign is to push Hezbollah fighters away from Israel’s northern border and reduce the threat posed by cross-border rocket and drone attacks.
The latest expansion of Israel’s ground offensive follows an order by Defense Minister to intensify operations against Hezbollah. Katz previously warned that Lebanon could suffer significant infrastructure damage and even territorial losses if Hezbollah did not disarm and cease its attacks on Israel.
Escalation after Hezbollah rocket attacks
The current escalation began earlier this month after Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets toward northern Israel on March 2. The group said the attack was retaliation for the killing of , Iran’s supreme leader, in Israeli strikes during the opening stages of the broader U.S.-Israeli war with .
In response, Israel initiated a series of intense airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting what it says are Hezbollah military positions, weapons depots, and infrastructure. Israeli forces have also moved additional troops into southern Lebanon, an area where Israel has maintained a military presence at several positions since a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in November 2024.
During a visit to troops stationed near the Lebanese border, Israel’s military chief said the ongoing strikes on Iran are weakening Hezbollah’s ability to finance and supply its fighters. According to Israeli military estimates, more than 400 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the beginning of March, though Hezbollah rarely confirms casualty figures.
Massive displacement and humanitarian concerns
The conflict has triggered a major humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry reports that more than 880 people have been killed in Israeli attacks so far, although the figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Meanwhile, the violence has forced more than one million people to flee their homes, particularly from southern Lebanon and areas around the capital, . Lebanese authorities say more than 130,000 displaced people are currently sheltering in schools and other temporary collective centers.
In response to the growing crisis, the launched a humanitarian appeal seeking $308 million to assist Lebanon with relief efforts, including food, shelter, and medical aid for displaced families.
Israel links civilian return to border security
Israeli officials have now tied the return of displaced Lebanese civilians to security conditions for Israeli residents living near the border.
Defense Minister Katz said that large numbers of Shiite residents who fled southern Lebanon and areas around Beirut will not be permitted to return to regions south of the Litani River until Israeli border communities are secure.
He also said Israeli forces have been ordered to systematically destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in villages close to the Israeli border. Katz compared the strategy to Israel’s military operations in the , where large sections of urban areas were heavily damaged during fighting with Hamas.
In a further escalation of rhetoric, Katz suggested that Hezbollah’s current leader, , could face the same fate as his predecessor and Iran’s slain supreme leader—both of whom were killed in Israeli strikes. Qassem dismissed the threats last week, calling them “worthless.”
Israeli troops push deeper into southern Lebanon
On the ground, the fighting continues to intensify. Lebanese security sources say Israeli forces have surrounded the strategic town of Khiyam in southern Lebanon and are moving west toward the Litani River. If Israeli troops secure this corridor, large parts of southern Lebanon could effectively fall under Israeli control.
Clashes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters were reported throughout Monday, particularly near the village of Bint Jbeil, a Hezbollah stronghold located only a few kilometers from the Israeli border.
Uncertain prospects for ceasefire talks
Despite the escalating conflict, diplomatic efforts may still emerge in the coming days. Israeli officials have indicated that talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire could begin soon.
However, a Lebanese source familiar with the discussions said negotiations do not appear imminent, though they may eventually take place.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, , confirmed that several international actors are attempting to mediate discussions. He said Israel is open to talks but insisted that Hezbollah’s military capabilities must first be significantly weakened.
Under the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah was supposed to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon while the Lebanese army took control of the region. Israel argues that Lebanon failed to fully implement the deal, which led Israel to continue launching airstrikes against suspected Hezbollah positions.
As the fighting intensifies and displacement rises, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is increasingly becoming one of the central fronts in the wider regional war involving Israel, Iran, and several allied groups across the Middle East.
Source Reuters
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