NewKerala.com

Israel Authorizes Troop Advance in Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Strikes Escalation

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the military is authorized to advance and hold additional positions in southern Lebanon to protect border communities. The Israel Defence Forces conducted simultaneous strikes against military targets in both Beirut and Tehran, escalating regional hostilities. Hezbollah retaliated by launching a swarm of drones at Israel's Ramat David Air Base. The conflict intensified with the IDF confirming an overnight strike in Beirut killed Hussein Makled, described as the head of Hezbollah's intelligence arm.

Key Points: Israel Advances in Lebanon, Strikes Beirut & Tehran Amid Hezbollah Conflict

  • IDF authorized to advance in Lebanon
  • Strikes target Beirut and Tehran
  • Hezbollah attacks Israeli air base
  • Hezbollah intelligence chief killed
  • Regional spillover concerns grow
2 min read

"Authorised to advance, take control of additional positions in Lebanon":Israeli Defence Minister

Israeli troops authorized to advance in Lebanon as IDF conducts strikes in Beirut and Tehran. Hezbollah retaliates with drone attack on Israeli air base.

"To prevent the possibility of direct fire at Israeli communities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have authorised the IDF to advance and hold additional dominant terrain in Lebanon - Israel Katz"

Tel Aviv, March 3

The Israeli military on Tuesday said that its soldiers are "operating in southern Lebanon" as it continues strikes against Hezbollah.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the Israeli military is authorised to advance and take control of additional positions in Lebanon on Tuesday. He said that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) 's move to advance in southern Lebanon is intended to prevent "direct fire" on Israeli communities.

"To prevent the possibility of direct fire at Israeli communities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have authorised the IDF to advance and hold additional dominant terrain in Lebanon and defend the border communities from there," Katz said in a statement.

Earlier, as the conflict escalated in West Asia, Israel conducted strikes in both Tehran and Beirut.

The Israeli Defence Forces said in a post on X that it is currently conducting simultaneous targeted strikes against military targets in Tehran and Beirut.

As per Al Jazeera, the IDF strikes took place in Beirut's Haret Hreik area.

In an earlier retaliation, Hezbollah claimed a dawn attack on Israel's Ramat David Air Base, Al Jazeera reported. According to Hezbollah, it fired a swarm of drones at radar sites and control rooms at the air base on Tuesday. This comes as a retaliation for Israeli strikes.

IRNA News Agency reported that the Israeli regime attacked the headquarters of Al-Manar, a broadcaster affiliated with Hezbollah. According to IRNA, Al-Manar resumed broadcasting its programmes minutes after the reported strike. Earlier, Israel said that the head of Hezbollah's intelligence arm was killed in an overnight strike, and Beirut said it would ban the terror group's military activities.

The Israel Defence Forces confirmed that the overnight strike in the Lebanese capital killed Hussein Makled, whom it called "the head of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters."

The developments come amid heightened hostilities in West Asia, with cross-border strikes and aerial interceptions raising concerns about further regional spillover.

The IDF said Makled was responsible for "forming the intelligence picture using various intelligence collection tools to provide the Hezbollah terror organisation with intelligence assessments regarding IDF troops and the State of Israel." The Israeli Air Force also intercepted two unmanned aerial vehicles that crossed from Lebanon.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The cycle of retaliation is heartbreaking. Innocent civilians on both sides suffer the most. India has always stood for peace and dialogue. I hope our government uses its good relations with all parties to urge for de-escalation. Our thoughts are with all affected families.
A
Aman W
Hezbollah started this by attacking the airbase. What is Israel supposed to do, just sit back? They have to protect their citizens. The statement says it's to prevent direct fire on communities, which seems like a legitimate defensive move.
S
Sarah B
The mention of strikes in Tehran is huge and worrying. This is no longer just a Israel-Lebanon issue. The entire West Asia region is a tinderbox. India has major stakes here - our energy security and the safety of our large diaspora. The MEA must be watching this very closely.
K
Karthik V
As an Indian, our own experience with cross-border terrorism makes it a complex issue to judge. Sovereignty is paramount, but so is the security of your people. However, "advancing and taking control" of another nation's territory is a serious step that often leads to prolonged conflict. A slippery slope.
N
Nikhil C
The immediate resumption of broadcasting by Al-Manar after the strike says a lot. These conflicts are so asymmetrical. One side has a state army, the other is a militant group embedded in population centers. The Lebanese people are caught in the middle. Very sad situation.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50