Israeli Forces Intensify Offensive in Bint Jbeil

Israeli forces have intensified their ground offensive in southern Lebanon, centering operations on the town of Bint Jbeil, a longstanding Hezbollah stronghold just kilometers from the border, as clashes with the militant group escalated on Friday. The Israel Defense Forces described the area as their primary combat zone, with troops advancing through nearby villages amid artillery exchanges, airstrikes, and close-range fighting.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited positions on the outskirts of Bint Jbeil on Thursday, stating, "The primary arena of our fighting is here in Lebanon. We continue to deepen the ground operations and continue to strike Hezbollah." He emphasized that the military remains in a state of war, rejecting any ceasefire in the sector despite a separate truce with Iran. Israeli troops have pushed up to 8 kilometers into Lebanon since renewing their campaign around early March, following Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel. The IDF reported intercepting most of over 2,000 projectiles launched by Hezbollah since then, though at least 12 soldiers have been killed and more than 400 wounded in the operations.

Hezbollah fighters reported direct clashes...