Smoke billows from an Israeli strike on Nabatieh, Lebanon May 26, 2026 (Reuters)
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Setting aside a nominal six-week ceasefire, Israel has expanded its ground assault, airstrikes, and occupation inside Lebanon.
After a Security Council Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday evening that Israel is “intensifying” military operations. The Israel Defense Forces are operating with “large forces”.
A military official confirmed that Israeli troops have moved beyond the “yellow line”, Israel’s 10-km (6-mile) deep zone of occupation inside southern Lebanon.
The Israeli Air Force carried out more than 100 strikes across the south and in the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon overnight and throughout Tuesday.
At least 31 people were slain. One strike in the Mashghara area of the Beqaa Valley killed 12, including several members of a family. Among the victims were two girls and a woman. Another 15 people, including a child, were wounded.
A “senior Israeli official” said, “There is approval for targeted assassinations in Beirut if an operational opportunity presents itself.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added that for every Hezbollah drone attack launched against Israeli forces or territory, 10 buildings in Beirut should be destroyed.
“Control of Strategically Dominant Positions”
Netanyahu said:
We are intensifying our operations in Lebanon. The IDF is operating with significant forces on the ground and taking control of strategically dominant positions. We are reinforcing the security buffer zone in order to protect the communities of northern Israel.
At the same time, we are carrying out a major national effort to advance creative and innovative solutions against explosive drones.
“Senior Israeli officials” clarified, “We have freedom of action in southern Lebanon – less so in Beirut. We do not want to be perceived as undermining President Donald Trump’s agreement with Iran.”
The officials said the Trump Administration approved the Israeli plans, but warned Jerusalem “not to bring down buildings in Beirut”. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee updated the White House on Monday night.
Israel Defense Forces officials said the army is carrying out “targeted intelligence-based raids” north of the Litani River, 30 km (19 miles) inside Lebanon, focusing on areas where Hezbollah maintains infrastructure and operational footholds.
Troops reportedly clashed with Hezbollah fighters north of the Litani on Tuesday. Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli forces advancing toward the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya with explosive drones, rockets and artillery. The group also said it launched several rocket, artillery and exploding drone attacks on Israeli troops and vehicles mobilizing along the river toward the Nabatieh village of Yohmor al-Shaqif.
Hezbollah also fired several drones at northern Israel on Tuesday. No injuries were reported in the strikes.
An IDF official said Israel has found itself “defenseless” against the drone threat posed by Hezbollah, with the group increasingly deploying first-person view drones guided by fiber-optic cables, largely immune to electronic jamming.
Israel Kills Hamas Military Chief in Gaza
Israel carried out more airstrikes on the unoccupied area of Gaza on Tuesday evening, killing the Hamas military chief Mohammed Odeh.
Gazan civil defense agency reported at least six people were killed and 20 wounded in the strike in the Rimal neighborhood of western Gaza City. Media outlets said Odeh was killed alongside his wife and sons.
Odeh’s predecessor was assassinated by an Israeli strike 11 days ago.
Israeli Defense Israel Katz cheered on social media:
The fourth commander of the Hamas terror organization’s military wing in Gaza was eliminated yesterday and sent to meet his partners in the depths of hell….
We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre, and that is what we will do. They are all marked for death, everywhere.
