Israel Plans Major Ground Offensive in Lebanon

Israel is preparing to significantly expand its military operations in Lebanon with plans for a large-scale ground invasion targeting areas south of the Litani River and aiming to dismantle the military capabilities of Hezbollah, according to Israeli and U.S. officials.

The planned operation could mark the most extensive Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon since the 2006 Lebanon War, potentially pushing the country deeper into the expanding regional conflict linked to tensions with Iran.

Israeli officials say the objective of the operation is to seize territory south of the Litani River, push Hezbollah forces away from the Israeli border and dismantle their military infrastructure, including weapons depots and launch positions.

A senior Israeli official said the operation could resemble tactics used in the war in Gaza, where buildings believed to store weapons or serve as launch sites were heavily targeted.

Military officials say the Israel Defense Forces have already deployed three armored and infantry divisions along the Lebanese border, while limited incursions have taken place over the past two weeks.

According to officials, the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu had previously attempted to limit the escalation in Lebanon in order to remain focused on the broader confrontation with Iran.

However, that strategy shifted after a large-scale coordinated attack earlier this week in which Hezbollah launched more than 200 missiles toward Israel while Iran fired dozens of additional projectiles.

Following the attack, Israeli officials said a ceasefire option was no longer being considered, and preparations for a major ground operation accelerated.

Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, warned that a ground invasion would lead to direct confrontation with the group’s fighters.

He said Lebanese diplomatic efforts had failed to protect civilians or secure sovereignty and insisted that “there is no solution except resistance.”

Qassem warned that Israeli troops entering Lebanese territory would face close combat operations by Hezbollah forces.

The conflict has already had a severe humanitarian impact in Lebanon.

Israeli evacuation warnings have been issued across southern Lebanon and, for the first time, to areas north of the Litani River as well as parts of southern Beirut considered Hezbollah strongholds.

According to officials, around 800,000 Lebanese civilians have been displaced, while at least 773 people have been killed, many of them civilians.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for Israeli efforts to disarm Hezbollah while also urging steps to limit damage to Lebanese state institutions.

U.S. officials reportedly asked Israel to avoid targeting key infrastructure such as Beirut’s international airport during the planned operation.

At the same time, Washington is pushing for direct talks between Israel and Lebanon to negotiate a potential ceasefire and lay the groundwork for a broader agreement that could formally end the state of war between the two countries, which has existed since 1948.