Israeli troops stage at a staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah.
According to the statement, military chief Eyal Zamir directed the deployment of additional regular forces, including a division, several brigades, and engineering battalions, following a situational assessment.
A Xinhua reporter near the border observed a large number of Israeli tanks and armored vehicles moving toward the area and assembling. Drones and armed helicopters were seen flying overhead.
In a nearby town, multiple rounds of sirens blared, followed by loud explosions, with smoke visibly rising on both sides of the border.
Zamir has said that operations against Hezbollah would be prolonged, with continued reinforcement of northern forces.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated sharply since the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran began on Feb. 28. On March 2, Hezbollah launched rockets from Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024. Israel responded with an "offensive military campaign" against Hezbollah, conducting intense airstrikes on Lebanon and ground incursions along the border.
Lebanon's Public Health Ministry said Friday that the death toll from the Israeli attacks since March 2 has reached 773, with 1,933 people injured. ■
An Israeli military staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon is hit by shells fired from Lebanon, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Israeli troops stage at a staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
Israeli tanks drive in southern Lebanon near the border, as seen from northern Israel, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
An Israeli tank drives in southern Lebanon near the border, as seen from northern Israel, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Israeli troops stage at a staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
Israeli troops stage at a staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
Israeli troops stage at a staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Israeli troops stage at a staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, March 13, 2026. The Israeli army said Friday in a statement that it has begun a broad reinforcement of troops along the northern border with Lebanon to strengthen "readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
