Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the military is escalating strikes inside Lebanon and declared the entire south a combat zone as operations intensify.
Netanyahu’s statement formalized an expanded Israeli footprint beyond previous limited incursions, signaling a broader campaign against Hezbollah and allied militias along the border.
Designating all of southern Lebanon as a combat zone gives the Israel Defense Forces wider latitude for operations while warning civilians to avoid affected areas.
The escalation follows months of cross-border fire that began in connection with the Gaza conflict and has since developed into a distinct front.
Israeli officials have argued that degrading Hezbollah’s rocket and drone capabilities requires deeper strikes on infrastructure embedded in Lebanese villages.
Lebanese civilians have fled north in large numbers, straining shelter capacity in Beirut and surrounding districts.
Netanyahu linked the Lebanon campaign to Israel’s broader security doctrine of preempting threats before they reach Israeli population centers.
International calls for ceasefires on the Lebanon front have competed with Israeli assertions that military pressure is necessary to secure the north.
The prime minister’s announcement came as cabinet members reviewed operational plans and resource allocation for sustained engagement.
Diplomatic channels remain active, though public statements from Jerusalem emphasize continued force rather than immediate stand-down.
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Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/