Netanyahu orders ground advance as Israeli strikes kill two in southern Lebanon

Israeli air strikes killed two people and injured another in Deir Amas, located in the Tyre district, on Wednesday, according to Lebanese state media. The attacks occurred as the Israeli military expanded its operations across southern Lebanon, conducting raids in Braiqaa that destroyed two homes. The timing of the strikes coincided with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as millions of people observed the festivities.

The casualties in Deir Amas followed a significant escalation on Tuesday, when Israeli attacks across southern and eastern Lebanon killed at least 31 people and injured 40 others, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. The strikes targeted areas including Machgharah in the western Bekaa and the strategic Qaraoun Dam further north. In the village of Burj Shemali, an air attack killed several people, including two children and three women, and wounded 16 others.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced late on Tuesday that a large Israeli ground force was pushing deep into southern Lebanon. He stated the objective was to seize areas and fortify what he described as a security zone in the neighbouring country. The military described the operation as a necessary measure to address ongoing security threats posed by Hezbollah’s operational capabilities in the region.

In conjunction with the aerial campaign, the Israeli military issued forced displacement orders for dozens of towns and villages in the south and east, as well as the entire city of Nabatieh. Residents were directed to move north of the Zahrani River, which is located approximately 40 kilometres from Lebanon’s border with Israel. The orders warned residents to flee in advance of anticipated attacks.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 32 operations against Israeli forces on Tuesday. The group stated that its fighters engaged in direct clashes and launched extensive rocket, artillery and drone strikes, particularly around the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya. It reported targeting multiple Merkava tanks, armoured vehicles, communication systems, and an Iron Dome platform, as well as downing two Israeli quadcopters.

Since fighting resumed in March 2026, Lebanese health authorities report that 3,213 people have been killed and 9,737 wounded in Israeli attacks. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on March 2 after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, citing retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28 and violations of a November 2024 ceasefire. Although a US-brokered ceasefire was established in April 2026, Israeli attacks have continued, with the current escalation described as one of the heaviest bombardments since the truce.