Israeli troops seize new positions in Lebanon to create a buffer zone, escalating cross-border conflict after Hezbollah rocket attacks.

JERUSALEM: Israel has ordered its military to take control of additional strategic positions inside Lebanon to create a buffer zone.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said the move, authorised with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to prevent attacks on Israeli border communities.

Military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated troops were creating a buffer between Israeli residents and any threat from Lebanon.

In response, the Lebanese army redeployed soldiers from several border positions due to safety concerns.

A Lebanese military source said this followed the Israeli army’s “escalation”, with eight to nine soldiers withdrawn from each point.

The regional conflict expanded after Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel responded with large-scale strikes on Lebanon, prompting the government in Beirut to ban Hezbollah’s military activities.

The Israeli military said it struck over 160 Hezbollah targets throughout south Lebanon, including elite Radwan Force members.

It also reported killing Hezbollah’s intelligence chief, Hussein Muakalled, during the operations.

A Lebanese army source expressed concern over Israel’s attempt to establish a broad security belt in south Lebanon.

AFPTV reported a series of air strikes hitting Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, without prior warning.

The Israeli army said it targeted several Hezbollah terrorists in these strikes.

It also hit Hezbollah command centres, weapons storage facilities, and satellite communication components in Beirut.

Hezbollah said it targeted three Israeli military bases in response to the strikes on its strongholds.

Rocket fire from Lebanon struck a house in the Israeli border village of Yuval, lightly injuring one person with glass shrapnel.

Israel maintains it is not planning a full-scale ground invasion of Lebanon but says all options are on the table.

Katz declared troops were ordered to seize additional locations, described by the military as tactical measures.

Israeli forces previously entered Lebanon in September 2024 after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges.

Tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border were evacuated as fighting intensified at that time.

The military has reinforced troop deployments and air defences along the Lebanese border recently.

Under a November 2024 truce, only UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese army may bear arms south of the Litani river.

Israel was supposed to withdraw all forces but kept troops in five strategic border areas.

It cited Hezbollah’s refusal to surrender its arms as the reason for maintaining its presence.

 The Sun Malaysia