• Israeli forces expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, securing strategic routes and areas near the Litani River in response to ongoing Hezbollah rocket fire.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the military is taking control of strategic zones to create a buffer zone and protect northern communities.
  • The escalation marks a departure from previous ceasefire arrangements, raising risks of a protracted security stalemate and regional tensions.

Netanyahu confirmed on Thursday that Israeli troops are operating with large forces on the ground in southern Lebanon and seizing control of strategic areas, as part of an intensified campaign to push Hezbollah away from the border. The prime minister's remarks signal a significant expansion of ground operations, which have been ongoing for weeks but have now broadened in scope and ambition.

“We are taking control of strategic areas south of the Litani River to ensure that our communities in the north can return home safely,” Netanyahu said in a televised address. The operation, he said, involves thousands of troops and heavy equipment, with forces moving to secure key terrain and disrupt Hezbollah's rocket-launching capabilities.

According to people familiar with the matter, Israeli forces have advanced into several villages previously buffer zones, demolishing militant infrastructure and engaging in clashes with Hezbollah fighters. The Lebanese army, which had been tasked with stabilizing the border under a 2024 ceasefire framework, has been repositioning its forces, but its ability to control the situation remains in question.

“The Lebanese army is not a match for Hezbollah, and Israel is taking matters into its own hands,” said a regional security analyst who declined to be named. The move effectively collapses the previous security arrangement, which had aimed to keep Hezbollah north of the Litani.

The escalation has drawn international concern, with the United Nations calling for restraint and an immediate return to the ceasefire. However, Israel insists the operation is necessary after months of cross-border attacks and a failure by Hezbollah to comply with disarmament terms.

Hezbollah, for its part, has vowed to retaliate. In a statement, the group said its fighters are engaged in “direct confrontations with the invading forces” and claimed to have inflicted casualties. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on specific losses.

The ground offensive adds a new dimension to the conflict, which had previously been dominated by airstrikes and limited raids. Analysts say the move risks a longer and more costly campaign, with potential for significant civilian displacement and humanitarian fallout in southern Lebanon.

“Without a deal, the company would be forced into bankruptcy,” said one market observer, drawing a parallel to the high-stakes negotiations typical of corporate restructurings. “Here, the costs of no deal are measured in lives and regional stability.”

Efforts to restructure the fragile border have hit a snag. U.S. and European mediators have been shuttling between Beirut and Tel Aviv, but have been unable to secure a commitment from Hezbollah to disarm or withdraw. Israeli officials say they are prepared to continue operations until a credible security framework is in place.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military declined to comment on specific operational details but said the campaign is “focused and targeted.” The military has also called up reserve units, signaling that the operation may be prolonged.

For now, the ground is caked with mud from recent rains, and the fighting continues. Residents of southern Lebanese villages report heavy shelling and the sounds of gunfire overnight. In northern Israel, schools remain closed, and life has ground to a halt.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the name of the river as Li-tani. It has been corrected to Litani.