International
Hezbollah rocket wounds 6 in Northern Israel as IDF expands Southern Lebanon buffer
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has launched a “targeted ground operation” to push Hezbollah further from its northern border with Lebanon.
Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that displaced Lebanese residents will not return to the area until Israel’s north is secure.
A Hezbollah rocket strike in northern Israel, yesterday (Monday) evening, sparked a fire and wounded six persons, just hours after the IDF announced it was deploying additional troops deeper into southern Lebanon.
Rocket and drone fire from the Lebanese terror group targeted northern Israel throughout the day. Shortly after 6:00 p.m., a rocket struck the city of Nahariya.
According to the Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service, the impact wounded six people—two adults and four minors—who were treated for smoke inhalation. All six are reported to be in good condition.
In a separate incident near Kibbutz Kabri, MDA reported that a man in his 40s was in light-to-moderate condition after being injured by an explosion.
Throughout Monday morning, sirens frequently sounded across the Galilee Panhandle and border communities, but no other injuries were reported in those initial volleys.
The IDF confirmed Monday that it had initiated a “targeted ground operation against key targets” in southern Lebanon. This move aims to expand the existing buffer zone following renewed Hezbollah attacks earlier this month amidst the broader conflict involving Iran.
The military stated the operation was designed to:
Establish forward defence through the destruction of terror infrastructure, eliminate operatives active near the border, and create an additional security layer for residents of northern Israel.
The 91st “Galilee” Regional Division began raids in the eastern sector late Saturday, reportedly killing several Hezbollah operatives.
Meanwhile, the 146th Reserve Division remained in the western sector, and the 36th Division continued operations in the east. The ground push was preceded by “massive airstrikes and artillery shelling” intended to soften targets.
Defence Minister Israel Katz, following a situational assessment with military leadership, vowed that the maneuver would continue until the threat to the Galilee was neutralised.
“Hundreds of thousands of Shiite residents of south Lebanon who have evacuated will not return to the area south of the Litani River until the safety of our residents is guaranteed,” Katz stated.
He drew parallels between the current mission and previous operations against Hamas in Gaza, noting that the military has been instructed to dismantle infrastructure “just as was done in Rafah and Beit Hanoun.”
He further warned Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem that he would face the same fate as his predecessors if the attacks continued.
The escalation followed a period of relative calm established by a November 2024 truce. However, since March 2—following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—the IDF reported that Hezbollah had launched approximately 100 rockets daily and over 100 drones in total towards Israel.
While the IDF continued to strike Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Lebanese government has shown signs of internal friction regarding the group.
Following the recent outlawing of Hezbollah military activity by Lebanese authorities, a judge in Beirut began legal proceedings against four members on Monday for weapons offences.
According to judicial officials, two of the individuals were apprehended while transporting rockets toward the southern border.
