Israeli Forves Advance Deeper into Lebanon as More Than 65,000 Are Displaced by Ongoing Attacks
Beirut (QNN)- The Israeli forces have reportedly advanced further into Lebanese territory from positions along the border, as Defense Minister Katz said troops had been instructed “to advance and seize additional controlling areas in Lebanon.” The move comes as Israel launches a new offensive that has displaced more than 65,000 people.
Lebanese state media reported that the Israeli military had entered the town of Khiam in south Lebanon, about 6km (3.7 miles) from the border, saying the town was witnessing continuous shelling.
Haneen Sayed, the Lebanese social affairs minister, has told Al Jazeera that 65,000 people have registered in shelters after being displaced by the recent Israeli strikes.
Sayed, whose ministry is responsible for providing shelter and supplies to the displaced, said perhaps 10,000 to 20,000 others had also been displaced but were “on the road” or sheltering with friends and family, and were still in the process of registering for support.
“It is not a good situation. People are worried,” she said, adding that memories were still fresh from the war with Israel in 2024 of “waking up daily to sounds of either drones or explosions”.
In a statement, the military said on Tuesday, "The 91st Division is operating in southern Lebanon and is positioned at a number of strategic points in the area (not specified),” as part of “strengthening the forward defense system.”
Israeli forces have reportedly advanced several hundred metres into the southern Lebanese towns of Kfarkela and Qouzah.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the Lebanese army is evacuating “advanced positions” along the border with Israel.
The Lebanese army has withdrawn from at least seven forward operating positions along the border, Reuters news agency reported earlier, citing witnesses.
Israeli forces have occupied five positions in southern Lebanon since November 2024.
The Israeli army’s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, announced an “offensive campaign against Hezbollah” after the group fired rockets at Israel in retaliation to the assault on Iran.
This comes as Lebanese authorities said Israeli air attacks on the country have so far killed at least 40 people and wounded over 240 others.
According to a report by Lebanon’s National News Agency, the Israeli air attacks hit the southern suburbs of Beirut and the south of the country. 20 people were killed and 91 wounded in the capital’s suburbs. 11 were killed and 58 wounded in the country’s south.
Israel launched attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah claimed a rocket attack on northern Israel.
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Israel also issued forced displacement threats, causing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes in the south.
Israel said it intended to intensify its bombing campaign.
