Hezbollah reported that its fighters engaged in clashes with Israeli forces in a town located north of the Litani River on Wednesday, following Israel's announcement of expanded ground operations. The confrontation occurred a day after Israeli strikes intensified in southern and eastern Lebanon, resulting in at least 31 fatalities, according to Lebanese authorities, despite an existing ceasefire.
Details of the Clash
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Iran-backed group stated that its fighters confronted enemy forces at point-blank range using light and medium weapons in the town of Zawtar Al-Sharqiyah. This town lies on the edge of an Israeli-declared yellow line in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have been active. Since early Tuesday, Hezbollah had indicated that its fighters were engaging Israeli troops entering the town, which holds strategic significance due to its proximity to the major southern city of Nabatieh, just six kilometers away.
Israeli Military Actions
Israel's army renewed an evacuation warning for Nabatieh city on Wednesday, after issuing a similar order a day earlier. The military stated it would act forcefully against Hezbollah, which it accuses of violating the ceasefire. The Israeli troop advance toward Zawtar Al-Sharqiyah follows an Israeli military official's statement on Tuesday that soldiers had begun operating beyond the yellow line, which runs approximately 10 kilometers deep inside Lebanese territory. Residents have been warned not to return to areas near this line.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that his country was intensifying operations in Lebanon. He stated that the Israeli army is operating with substantial forces on the ground, securing strategically dominant positions, and reinforcing the security buffer zone to protect communities in northern Israel.
