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Israel intensifies Lebanon strikes; 31 killed as troops push past Litani
Confirmed
What we know
Israeli air and ground forces intensified operations across southern and eastern Lebanon on Tuesday, killing at least 31 people and wounding about 40, Lebanon's health ministry said, in one of the heaviest days of fighting since the mid-April U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The Israeli military said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah sites overnight, including storage facilities, command centers and observation posts in the south and Bekaa Valley.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was "deepening our operation in Lebanon," with large forces "seizing dominant terrain" and fortifying a security buffer to protect northern Israeli communities. Israeli troops clashed with Hezbollah along the Litani River as forces pushed farther north toward Nabatiyeh, while Hezbollah claimed it fought Israeli advances near Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh. The escalation came days ahead of planned Lebanese-Israeli military talks in Washington.
What's confirmed
- AFP/BBC: Lebanese health ministry said 31 people, including children and women, were killed and about 40 wounded in Tuesday's Israeli strikes (AFP/BBC).
- AP/Reuters: IDF said it hit more than 100 Hezbollah sites overnight; Netanyahu said Israel is deepening operations and fortifying a buffer zone (AP/Reuters).
- AP: Israeli troops clashed with Hezbollah along the Litani as forces pushed north toward Nabatiyeh; Hezbollah claimed fighting near Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh (AP).
- BBC/Al Jazeera: Escalation followed Netanyahu's order to "press the pedal even harder" after recent Hezbollah drone attacks and Israeli casualties in the south (BBC/Al Jazeera).
What's still developing
- Whether Washington military talks later this week proceed amid the expanded Litani push.
- Casualty and displacement totals as overnight and follow-on strikes continue in the south and Bekaa.
- How far Israeli ground forces advance beyond the Yellow Line toward Nabatiyeh.
Sources
- AP News — Israel and Hezbollah clash near Litani River in Lebanon link
- BBC News — Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes link
- AFP / France 24 — Israeli strikes kill 31 in south Lebanon as Israel expands ground operations link
- Al Jazeera — Iran war live: Israel pounds Lebanon; Iranian officials in Qatar for talks link
- CBS News — Lebanon says 31 killed as Israel expands ground push link