JERUSALEM, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Thursday it was expanding its ground offensive in Lebanon, deploying an additional division as it seeks to advance towards the Litani River.
The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was establishing an expanded buffer zone in southern Lebanon.
With the 162nd armored division deployed, Israel now has four divisions advancing through villages in the area and engaging Iran-aligned Hezbollah fighters.
"Prior to the troops' entrance, the military struck numerous targets in the area using artillery and Israeli Air Force aircraft," the military said, adding its aim is to "dismantle" Hezbollah military capabilities.
Throughout Thursday, Hezbollah fired about 100 rockets and several drones at Israel. One attack killed a man and wounded several others in the northern city of Nahariya, the first civilian killed by Hezbollah fire since cross-border fighting resumed.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, the death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 1,116, including 121 children and 83 women, with more than 1 million people displaced. A further 3,229 people have been wounded.
Hezbollah entered the regional conflict on March 2 by launching rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire on Nov. 27, 2024, prompting Israel to carry out an intensified military campaign targeting multiple areas across the country. ■
