IDF troops start new Lebanon offensive to ‘seize dominant terrain,’ protect northern Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he ordered the military to launch a new ground offensive against Hezbollah beyond the ceasefire line in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, citing continuous attacks on Israeli troops and towns despite the ostensible ceasefire.

“We are deepening our operation in Lebanon. The IDF is operating with large forces on the ground and seizing dominant terrain. We are fortifying the security zone to protect the communities of the north,” he said, confirming earlier reports of clashes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah terrorists by Lebanese media outlets.

According to multiple reports, Netanyahu agreed to order the new offensive after intense pressure from Defense Minister Israel Katz and, in particular, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, after the IDF officials argued for days that it should be allowed to respond with more force against Hezbollah’s increasing attacks.

Netanyahu noted, “We are leading a massive national effort to advance creative and innovative solutions against explosive drones,” which have killed seven soldiers and wounded dozens more since the ceasefire began.

צה״ל ממשיך לתקוף תשתיות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בדרום לבנון: חוסלו מחבלים שקידמו מתווי טרור נגד כוחותינו והותקפו תשתיות מהן פעלו לשיגור רקטות pic.twitter.com/3sN2DuMA9U

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) May 26, 2026

The Israeli military has not released detailed information about the location or targets of its new offensive, though Hezbollah and affiliated media outlets reported clashes in the town of Zawtar Sharqieh, a few kilometers north of the Litani River.

The Lebanese outlet L’Orient Today reported that the IDF captured a position on the outskirts of the town on Tuesday evening, while other troops advanced to cross the Litani from Taybeh toward the north. Both areas are located northwest of Kiryat Shmona, and lie just beyond the Yellow Line.

IDF officials said the troops were carrying out “targeted intelligence-based raids” in areas where Hezbollah has significant infrastructure.

The Trump administration reportedly urged Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, against the backdrop of ongoing talks between Beirut and Lebanon, as well as negotiations over ending the war against the Iranian regime.

בבקאע וברחבי דרום לבנון: צה"ל תקף לאורך הלילה יותר מ-100 תשתיות טרור ומחבלים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה

לאורך הלילה, צה"ל תקף יותר מ-100 תשתיות טרור ומחבלים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בבקאע וברחבי דרום לבנון.

במספר תקיפות בבקאע, הותקפו תשתיות טרור ומחסן אמצעי לחימה של ארגון הטרור… pic.twitter.com/l5xjKhE4Dx

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) May 26, 2026

However, Washington has now greenlit the new ground operation, as well as expanded airstrikes, while continuing to warn against strikes in the capital, Beirut. At the same time, a senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News that “there is approval for targeted assassinations in Beirut if an operational opportunity presents itself.”

Despite this, a security official warned that if military operations remained limited to southern Lebanon, the drone threat would continue.

“We need to do much more. Israeli sovereignty is being violated every day. The IDF is exercising significant restraint because we are operating under understandings with the United States and the Lebanese government. We cannot accept the current reality without the ability to respond,” he told Kan News.

On Tuesday, the IDF announced over 100 new strikes on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, where “terror infrastructures and a weapons storage facility” were targeted.

“In southern Lebanon, more than 90 weapons storage facilities, headquarters, observation posts, and infrastructures used by the organization's terrorists to advance and carry out terror plots against IDF forces and civilians of the State of Israel were targeted,” the IDF reported.

תיעוד מיוחד: סגירת מעגל על מחבל שהפעיל כלי טיס בלתי מאויש בדרום לבנון

במסגרת פעילות כוחות צה״ל בדרום לבנון, כלי טיס של חיל האוויר זיהה באוויר כלי טיס בלתי מאויש, שהיווה איום על כוחותינו במרחב.

כלי הטיס הבלתי מאויש נחת, ומחבל מארגון הטרור חיזבאללה הגיע לאסוף אותו. בסגירת מעגל… pic.twitter.com/VNZM9ZEQAd

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) May 27, 2026

On Wednesday, the military published footage of a strike that killed a Hezbollah operative as he retrieved a drone that had landed after an operational flight. “In a swift defensive response, an Israeli Air Force aircraft struck and eliminated the terrorist,” the IDF said.

Meanwhile, Israel has signaled it intends to continue its expanded operations in Lebanon, ordering the evacuation of the entire city of Nabatieh, one of the largest in southern Lebanon, along with 47 other villages ahead of incoming airstrikes.

IDF Arabic Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Avichay Adraee urged residents to “move north of the Zahrani River.”