Overview
- Israeli forces stepped up air and ground operations on Tuesday, saying they struck more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
- Lebanese officials reported heavy civilian losses from the new wave of attacks, with the health ministry saying 31 people were killed in the south and state media reporting about a dozen dead in Mashghara in the Bekaa.
- The military ordered evacuations for dozens of towns, told residents to move north of the Zahrani River, and called up extra forces including at least one additional battalion.
- Israeli leaders cited Hezbollah’s growing use of fibre-optic explosive drones as a major threat, and the army said it intercepted several such drones aimed at Israeli territory.
- The escalation is likely to complicate the planned direct Lebanon–Israel talks in Washington and broader U.S.-led negotiations with Iran while deepening displacement and damage to civilian sites such as areas near the Qaraoun Dam and historic Beaufort Castle.