Israeli Strikes Kill 31 in Lebanon as Ground Offensive Expands

Israeli forces launched more than 120 airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon while troops advanced beyond a self-declared security zone near the border, according to Israeli and Lebanese officials. Lebanese authorities said at least 31 people were killed and dozens wounded in the strikes, which targeted multiple towns and infrastructure sites. Israeli officials said the operations were aimed at preventing Hezbollah attacks on northern Israeli communities, while Hezbollah responded with rocket fire and drone attacks against Israeli positions.

The latest fighting followed weeks of fragile ceasefire conditions after an April truce temporarily halted large-scale clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement as intermittent strikes and border exchanges continued. Lebanese officials condemned the expanded Israeli operation, warning it threatened Lebanese sovereignty and raised concerns about a prolonged military presence in southern Lebanon, where Israel previously maintained a security zone until 2000.