Israel Defense Forces has escalated its actions against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, expanding ground operations in the Bint Jbeil area. In a Telegram statement, the military said troops from the 98th Division, including units from the Paratroopers, Commando, and Givati Brigades, have encircled Hezbollah military positions and begun focused ground missions aimed at strengthening Israel’s defensive posture along the border.

The IDF stated that over the past week its forces conducted multiple operations against Hezbollah targets, claiming more than 100 operatives were killed through close combat and airstrikes, and that dozens of infrastructure sites were destroyed. It also reported the recovery of hundreds of weapons allegedly stored near civilian areas.

According to the statement, troops also located and dismantled an underground tunnel used by Hezbollah for planning and attacks against Israeli forces, saying it was neutralized after inspections and searches. The IDF reaffirmed that it will continue operations to protect Israeli civilians and prevent further attacks amid rising cross-border tensions.

Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance said it carried out 43 attacks on Israeli positions, according to Iranian state media Press TV, claiming strikes on military sites along the border and deeper inside Israeli-controlled areas, including the Golan Heights and northern Israel. It reported drone attacks on a communications site at Al-Alika barracks, a Merkava tank near Mays al-Jabal, and coordinated strikes on Israeli troop gatherings in areas such as Al-Bayyada, Yaroun, and Kfar Yuval, along with rocket fire toward Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, and the 146th Division headquarters.