Occupied Jerusalem, March 3 (SANA) Israel said Tuesday it had ordered its forces to push into southern Lebanon amid a sharp escalation with Hezbollah, marking one of the most significant expansions of military activity along the border since the latest round of cross-border fire began.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the army to advance into southern Lebanon to take control of what he described as “strategic positions.”
Katz told AFP that he had authorized the military to advance and take control of additional positions in Lebanon after Hezbollah militia fired rockets at Israel late Sunday.
An Israeli military spokesperson said in a briefing that units from the 91st Division are currently operating in southern Lebanon and have taken up positions at several strategic points.
He added that additional troops had been deployed along the border “to prevent Hezbollah from attacking us,” describing the advance not as a ground offensive but as a defensive tactical measure.
Tensions surged Monday after Hezbollah militia fired multiple rockets at Israeli positions, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs as well as areas in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
