Tel Aviv, March 18 (ANI) — The Israeli Defence Forces said Wednesday it launched a series of strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, following the evacuation of residents in Tyre and in response to rocket fire toward Israeli territory. In posts on X, the IDF said the operations targeted what it described as the infrastructure of the “terrorist organization Hezbollah” in the south.
Al Jazeera reported a loud explosion in Beirut’s Bachoura neighbourhood and called it an Israeli bomb. Earlier updates said strikes in central Beirut killed six people and wounded 24.
The IDF said it struck several Hezbollah command centers in Beirut and hit three rocket launch sites and weapons storage facilities in the Beqaa Valley that it said were used to carry out attacks. A separate IDF post on X said strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and the Beqaa were ongoing.
The military also announced that additional troops had been deployed in Lebanon to establish a “forward defence posture” intended to remove threats and improve security for residents of northern Israel. The Jerusalem Post reported that forces from the 36th Division, alongside the 91st Division, have begun limited, targeted ground operations in Lebanon to follow up on the deployment and to help establish the forward defence line.
The Israeli Air Force said it conducted extensive strikes against Iranian regime infrastructure in Tehran and against Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut.
The developments come amid rising regional tensions. Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem said the group is prepared for a “long confrontation” with Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon would be held accountable for failing to disarm Hezbollah and said Lebanon would “pay increasing prices through damage to infrastructure and the loss of territory” until military commitments are met.
Israeli officials say the latest escalation followed Hezbollah attacks on Israel in retaliation for the killing of the Iranian former supreme leader in joint strikes.
(This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
