Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he told the military to take control of more positions in Lebanon after an attack from Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have authorised the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to advance and take control of additional strategic positions in Lebanon in order to prevent attacks on Israeli border communities,” Katz said in a statement.
Hezbollah joined Iran in an attack on Israel after Israel and the United States went to war against the Islamic Republic.
The IDF said Tuesday that ground forces have launched what it described as “forward defensive operations” in southern Lebanon, taking control of several positions just across the border as part of a broader effort to protect northern Israeli communities amid the war with Iran.
In a statement, the military said troops from the 91st Division are operating south of the Litani River under a strategy it called “deepening forward defense,” aimed at creating an additional security buffer for residents of northern Israel.
The IDF added that it is carrying out extensive strikes on infrastructure linked to the Iran-backed group Hezbollah “to thwart threats and prevent infiltration attempts” into Israeli territory.
“Hezbollah chose to enter the campaign on behalf of Iran and will bear the consequences of its actions. The IDF will not allow harm to the civilians of the State of Israel and will continue to act in every way to protect them,” the military said.
The escalation along Israel’s northern border comes amid a rapid expansion of the broader conflict that began with Israeli-U.S. airstrikes on Iran last weekend. (France 24/ Foreign media)
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