The Israeli military has announced the start of localized ground maneuvers in southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah positions near the border.
Soldiers from the 91st Division have entered areas surrounding the strategically elevated town of Khiam to dismantle militant infrastructure and neutralize threats to northern Israel. This shift to ground operations follows a series of heavy airstrikes on Monday that targeted multiple Lebanese villages, including Yater and as-Sawana.
The strategic importance of Khiam—which overlooks northern Israel and sits near the Litani River—has made it a focal point for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as they attempt to sever Hezbollah’s supply lines to eastern Lebanon.
This recent surge in violence follows the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, an event that prompted Hezbollah to abandon a 2024 ceasefire and initiate rocket fire into Israel.
The humanitarian impact of the fighting has been severe, with over 800,000 residents fleeing southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut due to Israeli evacuation orders.
Reports indicate that at least 850 people have been killed in Lebanon since the escalation began, fueling international concern that the conflict could transform into a much larger regional war.
