Israel Expands Ground Operations in Southern Lebanon Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israel's military has intensified its ground operations in southern Lebanon, with Defense Minister Israel Katz confirming the expansion of maneuvers against Hezbollah targets. This escalation follows the initial phase of operations that began in early October, aimed at pushing Hezbollah back from the border region. The Israeli army has reported that its Egoz, Duvdevan, and Maglan units are now operating in new areas under the command of the Galilee Division.
Despite these efforts, the Israeli forces have faced fierce resistance from Hezbollah, which has continued to launch rocket attacks into northern Israel. On Wednesday alone, Hezbollah reportedly fired around 50 projectiles into Israel, targeting various locations, including Haifa and Nahariya. In response, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Beirut, with nearly 20 strikes reported over two days. Katz emphasized that Israel will not accept any ceasefire unless it guarantees the dismantling of Hezbollah and its withdrawal beyond the Litani River, approximately 20 kilometers from the Israeli border.
Rising Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties in Lebanon, with reports indicating that at least 20 children have been killed in recent airstrikes. The Lebanese Health Ministry has stated that the number of children killed in the past 50 days represents 80 percent of all child fatalities in the country over the past year. As of Tuesday, the toll in Lebanon has reached at least 2,683 dead and over 12,000 injured since mid-September, with the majority of casualties being civilians.
On the Israeli side, the conflict has also claimed the lives of 41 soldiers since the ground incursion began, with six soldiers from the Golani Brigade killed on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli forces in this operation. The toll includes a mix of combatants and civilians, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing military actions on both sides. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.
