BEIRUT (NNN-DPA) – The Israeli army is continuing its advance with ground troops in southern Lebanon.
The troops have penetrated eight kilometres inland from the border in the south, Lebanese Defence Minister Michel Menassa said at a cabinet meeting on Friday.
The government is expected to file a complaint with the UN Security Council.
Dpa also learned from security sources that the Israeli army is continuing its advances into areas in south Lebanon. According to these sources, Israeli tanks were also seen in the area.
Israel claimed that, in response to ongoing hostilities, it carried out strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs, stating that its operations are aimed at military sites and conducted to defend its security interests.
Hezbollah said in a statement that their fighters were engaged with an Israeli force at point-blank range in the town of Al-Bayyadah in southern Lebanon, inflicting casualties.
The Israeli army reported that troops discovered hundreds of weapons in a school in the town of al-Khiam, including anti-tank missiles, mortar shells, and improvised explosive devices. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the establishment of a “larger buffer zone” with the aim of pushing Hezbollah further north.
Many Lebanese, meanwhile, fear a large-scale Israeli ground invasion followed by an occupation of the south of the country.
Israel had previously occupied southern Lebanon for 18 years until 2000.
The Lebanese Health Ministry said in an updated report Saturday that the death toll from March 2 to March 27 has risen to 1,142, while the number of injured has increased to 3,315.
NNN-DPA