Tel Aviv, March 17 — The Israeli Health Ministry reported that 3,530 people have been injured and admitted to hospitals since the outbreak of the war. Of those, 86 remain hospitalized and eight are listed in serious condition.
The update accompanies a declared change in the Israel Defence Forces’ posture: the IDF confirmed the launch of limited, targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in the border region. In a post on X, the military said the manoeuvre is meant to “enhance the forward defence area” and is part of a broader effort to establish a forward defensive posture focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure and neutralizing fighters operating there.
The IDF said elements of the 91st Division have begun focused ground activity to expand the designated defence zone, a step the military described as necessary to remove threats and increase security for northern communities. The force said it used artillery and air strikes on multiple targets before sending troops in to prepare the battlefield. Operations are being conducted alongside the 146th Division, whose primary mission is defending settlements in the Galilee.
The army released night-vision and high-contrast imagery and footage showing soldiers moving through dense Lebanese terrain and inspecting structures and equipment, underscoring the operation’s aim to dismantle hostile infrastructure. The IDF accused Hezbollah of entering the campaign under the auspices of the Iranian regime and reiterated that it will not permit harm to Israeli civilians as operations continue in southern Lebanon.
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