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(JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on March 29 he ordered the military to expand its operations in southern Lebanon.
“I have just instructed to expand even further the existing security zone,” Netanyahu wrote in an X post.
Military operations have intensified between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist organization, along the Israel–Lebanon border since the start of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28.
“We are determined to change the situation in the north from its roots and restore security to the residents of the north,” Netanyahu said.
“We will not tolerate a reality of ongoing threat to our settlements and citizens. We will continue to act with strength, determination, and responsibility until we achieve the goal.”
The newly announced buffer zone aimed at stopping attacks by Hezbollah militants has raised fears that Israeli military activities in Lebanon could deepen instability in the region.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told France 24 news on March 27 that Israel’s attempt to create a buffer zone was “completely unacceptable,” and he said it was a “flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty.”
The expansion order came hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they killed Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon who were preparing an attack on IDF soldiers. The IDF also discovered a weapons depot in southern Lebanon that allegedly contained anti-tank missiles, grenades, and explosives intended to target IDF soldiers.
“Overnight [Sunday], IDF soldiers of the 91st Division identified Hezbollah terrorists attempting to plant explosive devices and launch mortar shells toward the soldiers,” the IDF said in a statement on Telegram.
“In a rapid targeting cycle, the soldiers fired and eliminated the terrorists. No IDF injuries were reported.”
The Lebanese Health Ministry has stated that 1,142 people have died in attacks by Israel between March 2 and March 27. Lebanese officials say 122 children have been killed.
More than 3,300 others have been injured.
The escalating hostilities have caused more than a million people in Lebanon to leave their homes, which is estimated to be more than 15 percent of the country’s population.
One of the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon’s southern district of Jezzine killed three journalists, including Ali Shoeib, a correspondent for Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV.
Israel’s military acknowledged targeting Shoeib and accused him of being a Hezbollah intelligence operative.
Fatima Ftouni, a Beirut-based reporter for Al-Mayadeen TV, was killed in the same air strike, along with her brother Mohammed, a video journalist.
The World Health Organization stated on March 29 that 51 Lebanese health workers have been killed since March 2, including nine paramedics on March 28. The targets of the attack included a medical warehouse.
“Attacks on health facilities must cease immediately,” World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X on March 29.
“This cannot become the norm. Health workers are safeguarded under international humanitarian law and should not be targeted.”
Israeli officials have stated that Hezbollah embeds military activities in civilian organizations and infrastructure.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
