Israel sends troops into southern Lebanon as Hezbollah says it is ready for ‘open war’

Israel sent additional troops into southern Lebanon and issued evacuation warnings to residents of more than 80 villages and towns as Hezbollah declared readiness for an “open war.”
The move extends military operations beyond Israel’s border while Israel maintains positions inside Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted fighting in November 2024.
The immediate consequence is expanded displacement and escalation risk as cross-border fire and strikes continue alongside ground forays.

<p>Israel’s military said Tuesday it sent additional troops into southern Lebanon and took new positions at several strategic points near the border. Its Arabic spokesman, Avichay Adraee, warned residents of more than 80 villages and towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate and said people should not return until further notice, describing the troop movements as part of bolstering Israel’s forward defense system and adding a layer of security.</p><p>Hezbollah said Tuesday it fired two salvos of rockets toward northern Israel, after it fired rockets and launched drones Monday. Israel retaliated with airstrikes that Lebanese officials said killed 40 people and wounded 246, with tens of thousands displaced; Beirut’s southern suburbs were struck, including damage to a building housing Hezbollah’s TV and radio stations. A Lebanese military official said Israeli troops moved into several areas and the Lebanese army was repositioning; Lebanon’s National News Agency reported evacuations of some border positions. UNIFIL said peacekeepers observed Israeli forays across the border and returns, and it was unclear how many remained inside Lebanon.</p>