Israel Orders Troops to Seize New Positions in Lebanon After Hezbollah Attacks

Alanbatnews -

Israel's military has been instructed to advance and seize new strategic locations within Lebanon, Israeli officials said, following rocket attacks by Hezbollah. The move signals a potential escalation of the conflict between the two adversaries.

Israeli army said it was responding to rockets fired by Hezbollah into northern Israel. The attacks followed the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have authorized the military to secure strategic sites in Lebanon to prevent further attacks on Israeli border communities, according to a statement from Defense Minister Katz.

The Lebanese government has announced an immediate prohibition on Hezbollah's security and military activities in response to the attacks.

While the Israeli military initially stated there was no immediate need for a ground incursion into Lebanon, it later clarified that all options remained on the table.

Katz described the order to advance into new positions in Lebanese territory as a tactical measure, not a full-scale invasion.

Hezbollah and Israel engaged in conflict in September, ostensibly in support of the Gaza Strip. During that time, Israel occupied positions within Lebanese territory. The conflict resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border.

The recent wave of airstrikes has caused widespread displacement within Lebanon and sparked anger among the Lebanese population.

The Israeli military said it is not planning to evacuate northern communities again. It said it has reinforced its presence on the Lebanese border and increased air defenses in the area.

A ceasefire agreement announced in November called for a cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the border region to north of the Litani River, and its disarmament throughout Lebanon, as well as the withdrawal of the Israeli army from positions it advanced to during the recent war.

Despite the agreement, Israel maintains control of five strategic locations inside Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah refuses to disarm, claiming the agreement only applies to the southern Litani border region.

Israel has continued to conduct regular strikes on what it claims are Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement.