Tel Aviv, Israel – The Israeli army continued its violent escalation against Lebanese territory, launching large-scale raids at dawn on Saturday targeting the heart of the south and the southern suburbs of Beirut, while Hezbollah announced that it had repelled attempts at a ground incursion into border towns, as the conflict approaches the end of its first month.
Expanding the scope of the air strikes
Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that Israeli aircraft carried out a series of intense airstrikes targeting the towns of Majdal Selm, Kfar, Haniyeh, Touline, and Adloun. In Nabatieh, Israeli missiles destroyed residential and commercial buildings and a gas station, causing extensive damage to the city’s infrastructure.
The bombardment also targeted strategic border towns, particularly Taybeh, coinciding with reports of intensified troop movements by Israeli forces attempting to advance towards the Litani River area.
Hezbollah’s field operations
In response, Hezbollah issued military statements this morning confirming that it targeted Israeli troop concentrations in the border town of Dibil. The party claimed to have destroyed a Merkava tank using a “dive drone” and targeted a house where Israeli forces were holed up with a suicide drone.
Hezbollah also announced a missile strike targeting the Israeli army’s “Northern Command” headquarters in Safed, in retaliation for the airstrikes that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs last night.
“Security Zone” Plan
On the ground, Israeli operations appear aimed at imposing a new geographical reality. Israeli officials have stated their intention to establish a buffer zone extending to the Litani River, reaching a depth of 30 kilometers from the international border. According to Israeli claims, this move aims to push back Hezbollah fighters and secure the return of residents to northern settlements. It is worth noting that the war expanded to include Lebanon on March 2nd, following the assassination of the Iranian Supreme Leader at the outset of the US-Israeli offensive, transforming southern Lebanon into a direct confrontation that intensifies daily.
