Israel is planning

Tel Aviv (dpa) — An Israeli military spokesman has announced plans to expand the deployment of ground troops in southern Lebanon.

The army is mobilizing further reservists, spokesman Effie Defrin said on Monday. More than 100,000 reservists are currently deployed across all fronts.

Following the ceasefire agreement in November 2024 after a year-long war with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, the Israeli army had initially withdrawn. However, troops remained stationed at five posts in southern Lebanon.

After Hezbollah began rocket attacks following the start of the Iran war, Israel had taken a further 15 positions in southern Lebanon, said Defrin.

“We have reinforced our troops in the north and will intensify our operations in the coming days,” he said.

The Israeli army earlier said it has already begun “limited and targeted ground operations” in the south of neighbouring Lebanon in recent days.

It named active Hezbollah members and the militia’s infrastructure as targets. The aim was to protect the inhabitants of the north from Hezbollah attacks.

There is widespread concern in Lebanon about a potential large-scale Israeli ground invasion followed by an occupation of the south of the country.