- Israeli troops moved hundreds of meters into southern Lebanon on March 3, 2026, taking new border positions under orders from Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz to protect Israeli communities.
- Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at northern Israel on March 2-3, targeting military bases, with Israel responding with airstrikes on Beirut suburbs that killed at least 40 in Lebanon and wounded 246.
- Lebanon banned Hezbollah's military activities on March 2, demanding weapon handover, while Hezbollah declared readiness for "open war," ending ceasefire patience.
Israeli forces advanced into southern Lebanon on March 3, 2026, seizing strategic border positions after orders from Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz to protect Israeli communities from Hezbollah attacks. This followed Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel in support of Iran amid U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, prompting Israeli airstrikes killing at least 40 in Lebanon and senior Hezbollah figures like intelligence head Hussein Moukalled and Reza Khazai.
Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at northern Israel on March 2-3, targeting military bases; Israel responded with airstrikes on Beirut suburbs, damaging Hezbollah media sites and killing 40, with tens of thousands displaced. Israeli troops moved "hundreds of meters" into Lebanon, taking new positions; Lebanese army repositioned northward from border posts for safety, with UNIFIL observing Israeli forays across the border. Hezbollah declared readiness for "open war," ending ceasefire patience.
Lebanon banned Hezbollah's military activities on March 2, demanding weapon handover, while President Aoun noted Hezbollah rocket fire from north of Litani River. Israel views advances as "tactical" forward defense, not full invasion, keeping "all options" open; ceasefire since November 2024 required Israeli withdrawal but allowed five strategic points amid ongoing strikes. Over 80 southern Lebanese villages were ordered evacuated by Israel; tens of thousands displaced on both sides; Lebanese army prioritizes troop safety. Northern Israeli communities reinforced without new evacuations. Hezbollah frames actions as defensive solidarity with Iran.
Escalation traces to October 7, 2023, Hamas attack sparking Gaza war; Hezbollah border fire began then, leading to September 2024 full war and Israeli ground invasion; November 2024 U.S.-brokered ceasefire halted most fighting but Israel retained positions and struck daily, citing Hezbollah rebuild. Short-term risks include intensified strikes and potential full war, with Israel gearing for Lebanon conflict independent of Iran strikes; long-term, ceasefire violations could prolong occupation south of Litani. Experts note grave escalation concerns, no guarantee of de-escalation post-Iran conflict. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran killed Khamenei, drawing Hezbollah retaliation; Lebanon drew into regional war Monday. Post-ceasefire, Israel killed 397 in strikes before latest exchanges. Lebanese government distances from Hezbollah via ban.