The Israeli military said an IDF officer was seriously wounded and another soldier was moderately injured during fighting against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Thursday, as Israel launched a widening campaign of airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Both troops serve in the Givati Brigade, according to the military. They were evacuated for medical treatment and their families were notified. The injuries were described as the most serious among Israeli ground forces since troops began moving deeper into southern Lebanon in recent days.
Ground Advance Continues in Southern Lebanon
Hezbollah said earlier it had targeted Israeli troops with an anti-tank guided missile in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army, which has reported additional anti-tank fire incidents this week, said it has taken “forward defensive positions” to add a defensive layer and reduce threats to communities in northern Israel.
In a televised address, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said he instructed forces to advance and deepen Israel’s line of control along the border while establishing positions at key points. A spokesperson for UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission, said the force had seen and heard clashes as Israeli troops moved across the border, marking the first confirmation of combat by the mission.
Beirut Evacuation Order Followed by Strike Wave
The military’s moves on the ground came as Israel expanded its offensive in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold commonly referred to as the Dahiyeh. Israel issued an evacuation notice for residents, telling them to leave immediately and specifying routes to flee. Traffic was reported to be gridlocked as large numbers attempted to get out of the densely populated area.
Hours later, strikes began hitting the suburbs. The IDF said it launched a “wave” of airstrikes targeting what it described as Hezbollah “terror infrastructure” in Dahiyeh. Reports also indicated that the campaign triggered an exodus from the area, including the departure of Iranian personnel linked to advisory roles.
Rocket Fire Continues as Regional Risk Spreads
Hezbollah continued firing rockets and drones toward northern Israel on Thursday and into early Friday, triggering sirens in areas including the Acre region, the Galilee, and the Golan Heights. The group also issued a statement in Hebrew urging residents of Israeli communities within five kilometers of the border to evacuate, echoing Israeli evacuation warnings given to Lebanese civilians.
Israel has said it is not evacuating northern towns. Two Hezbollah rockets have struck northern Israeli towns this week, injuring one person, according to the report.
Lebanese authorities said 123 people had been killed in Israeli strikes and that more than 83,000 people had evacuated prior to Thursday’s wide evacuation order. Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun contacted French President Emmanuel Macron seeking to halt anticipated escalation, while Macron called for an end to hostilities and said France would send aid to Lebanon.
Reports of IRGC Advisers Leaving Lebanon
Axios reported that dozens of officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including personnel linked to the Quds Force, left Lebanon over the past two days amid fears of being targeted. The report said a smaller group was expected to remain to maintain contacts and a liaison presence.
The Israeli offensive began after renewed rocket fire from Hezbollah earlier this week, in a regional environment already intensified by the broader conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.