Tel Aviv, March 17: The Israeli Health Ministry said 3,530 people have been injured and admitted to hospitals since the outbreak of the war. Of those, 86 are currently hospitalized, including eight in serious condition.
The update coincides with an announced shift in the Israel Defence Forces’ posture. The IDF confirmed the start of “limited and targeted ground operations” against key Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, a move that marks a notable escalation in the region.
In a post on X, the military said the manoeuvre is intended to “enhance the forward defence area.” It described the phase as part of a broader defensive effort to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure and neutralizing terrorists operating in the area.
The IDF said forces from the 91st Division have begun “focused ground activity” to expand the designated defence zone, which it said is necessary to remove threats and add a layer of security for northern residents. Prior to ground entry, the military said it struck numerous terror targets in the area using artillery and air power to prepare the battlefield.
These operations are being conducted alongside the 146th Division, with the stated primary mission of defending Galilee settlements. The IDF released night-vision and high-contrast images and footage showing soldiers moving through dense Lebanese terrain and inspecting structures and equipment, illustrating the mission’s focus on dismantling infrastructure.
The military accused the Hezbollah “terror organisation” of joining the campaign under the auspices of the Iranian regime and said it will not permit harm to Israeli civilians as operations continue in southern Lebanon. (ANI)
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