Israel to expand operations in Lebanon

The Israeli ​military has been ‌instructed to expand its operations ​in Lebanon, ​Defence Minister Israel Katz ⁠said on ​Thursday, after Hezbollah ​a heavy barrage of fired rockets at ​Israel overnight.

Katz ​warned Lebanese President Joseph ‌Aoun ⁠that if the Lebanese government could not ​prevent ​Hezbollah ⁠from attacking Israel, Israel "would ​do it ​ourselves", ⁠according to a statement released ⁠by ​his office.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz have reportedly already instructed the army to "prepare to expand its activities in Lebanon."

The Iran-backed Hezbollah militia was supposed to disarm under a ceasefire agreement with Israel concluded in November 2024, but is yet to lay down its arms.

In early March, the group intervened in the Iran war, attacking Israel in support of Tehran.

On Wednesday evening, Hezbollah launched a massive rocket and drone attack on northern Israel, while the Israeli Air Force carried out heavy strikes on targets in the southern suburbs of Beirut.