After Hizbollah Attacks: Netanyahu Pushes Deeper into Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered the army to expand its ground offensive in Lebanon and push deeper into the country's interior, despite a ceasefire declared more than six weeks ago. The escalation follows one of the most intense Hezbollah attacks since the ceasefire took effect, with a number of low-cost kamikaze drones launched into northern Israel. The strikes prompted school closures and movement restrictions. Netanyahu said the aim was to "deepen and expand control over Hezbollah-held areas".

Israeli forces have already seized the Beaufort Ridge and Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old fortress in southern Lebanon. The stated objective is to move the line of control from the Litani River some 10 km further north to the Zaharani River.

The conflict, described as the most significant spillover from the broader war with Iran, has killed more than 3,370 people and displaced 1.2 million in Lebanon since the beginning of March. On the Israeli side, 24 soldiers and four civilians have been killed.

Netanyahu is also facing political pressure from his electoral rival Naftali Bennett, who has called for even harsher strikes, including on the suburbs of Beirut.

(reuters, est)