Southern Lebanon – Intense fighting continues in southern Lebanon as the Israeli military expands its operations, targeting what it says are Hezbollah infrastructure and militants. The escalating conflict is raising concerns about a potential wider regional conflict.
The Israeli military announced Monday, March 9, 2026, that it had launched a focused raid into southern Lebanon, preceded by heavy fire and aerial strikes. According to a statement released by the army, forces from the 36th Division’s Lahavi Combat Team are working to “locate and eliminate terrorist operatives and destroy infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah.”
“During the past few hours, forces from the Lahavi Combat Team, under the command of the 36th Division, began a focused raid in southern Lebanon,” the statement read. “Prior to the forces’ entry, intense fire was activated and many terrorist targets in the area were attacked from the air and ground.”
The operation, officials say, is intended to bolster defensive plans and provide an additional layer of security for northern Israeli residents. This comes after a failed Israeli attempt to land troops in the town of Nabi Sheet earlier in the week.
Hezbollah reported Monday that it repelled another Israeli attempt to land troops in the same area. “At 00:10 this morning, Monday, our fighters monitored about 15 Israeli enemy helicopters approaching from Syrian territory,” the group said in a statement. The group claimed its fighters were “ready and waiting” to confront the Israeli forces.
The recent escalation follows reports that Israel is attempting to establish a buffer zone within Lebanon. According to France24, the Israeli military stated Tuesday it was working to create a security zone in southern Lebanon.
Images from satellites indicate the Israeli military has been constructing positions at five locations in southern Lebanon, despite withdrawing from towns and villages in February 2025 as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in November 2024. The BBC reports that the Lebanese government has described the continued Israeli presence as a violation of the ceasefire.
Recent reports indicate a rising death toll in Lebanon as a result of Israeli strikes. Xinhua News reports 40 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on eastern and southern Lebanon. Bawabat Al-Sharouk reported Monday that three people were killed and others injured when an Israeli strike hit a home in southern Lebanon. Al Arabiya CGTN reported 394 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the beginning of March, including 83 children.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported Monday that 10 people were killed and six others injured in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon.
