Israel Invades Southern Lebanon, Sends Troops Deeper and Forces 30,000 From Their Homes

Israel authorised an advance into southern Lebanon and pushed ground troops deeper into Lebanese territory in recent days.

“BEIRUT (AP) — Israel sent troops into southern Lebanon on Tuesday and warned residents of more than 80 villages to evacuate as the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group said it was ready for an “open war” with Israel in the wake of the U”

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Several outlets report Defence Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved moves to seize additional positions, which one report described as part of an operation dubbed "Roaring Lion".

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The Israeli military reportedly advanced roughly a kilometre into Lebanese territory, taking positions near Kafr Kela, Yaroun and Al Qawzah to prevent Hezbollah strikes on border communities.

Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at northern Israel.

Israeli forces responded with heavy airstrikes across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs (the Dahieh).

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Reports say Israel struck Hezbollah communications and intelligence infrastructure, elite Radwan forces and targeted media facilities.

Reported damage included Hezbollah’s television and radio building and strikes on the Al‑Nour radio outlet.

Israeli officials said most Hezbollah rockets landed in sea or open areas and some incoming projectiles and drones were intercepted.

The fighting has produced a major humanitarian displacement in Lebanon.

“A growing number of civilians are flooding out of towns and villages in southern Lebanon over the past 48 hours”

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U.N. and local agencies report roughly 30,000 people displaced inside Lebanon and sheltering in collective centres, with many others sleeping in cars or along roads and thousands more fleeing border areas.

RTE.ie specifies that the UN counted at least 30,000 displaced, including about 9,000 children, and multiple local reports describe overcrowded shelters and people stranded on roads.

Syria has reinforced its frontier with Lebanon amid the escalation.

Multiple reports say Damascus deployed rocket units, thousands of troops and equipment to western Homs countryside and south of Tartus.

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Reports say the movement included elements from divisions, notably the 52nd and 84th, with infantry, armoured vehicles and short-range Grad and Katyusha rocket launchers.

Syrian officials framed the build-up as aimed at curbing smuggling and preventing infiltrations by Iran-backed groups.

Some European and Lebanese officials expressed concern the concentrations could presage an incursion, while other observers described part of the movement as a show of force.

Lebanese authorities have moved politically and militarily in response.

“Battered and isolated, Hezbollah drags Lebanon into another war The Iranian-backed group Hezbollah has fired rockets from Lebanon into Israel for a second day while the Israeli military has sent troops into the south of the country, as Lebanon is dragged into the war between US, Israel and Iran”

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The government has outlawed or banned Hezbollah’s military activities and ordered the army to reassert control.

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The Lebanese Armed Forces pulled back from some border positions amid Israeli advances.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam publicly denounced Hezbollah’s strikes and demanded disarmament.

President Michel Aoun urged international (French) intervention as the humanitarian and security crisis deepened.