Israeli forces expanded their operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, carrying out intensified airstrikes, artillery shelling and ground incursions beyond what Israeli officials described as the “forward defense line,” as tensions continued to escalate despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. 

Military officials from Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to meet Friday at the Pentagon under U.S. supervision, while a separate round of political talks is expected to take place next week.

Two Israeli military officials told The New York Times that Israeli troops are now operating beyond the area Israel refers to as the “forward defense line,” a zone extending several miles into southern Lebanon that Israeli forces have occupied since the latest conflict with Hezbollah began.

The developments came after a day marked by heavy bombardment, evacuation warnings and reports of expanded Israeli military activity across southern Lebanon and the western Beqaa Valley.

As Israeli surveillance drones flew at low altitude over Beirut and its southern suburbs, Israeli news website Walla quoted a military official as saying that Beirut was no longer off-limits to Israeli strikes following the expansion of operations beyond the so-called “yellow line.”

“If operational opportunities arise in the Lebanese capital, the army will not hesitate to exploit them and strike targets,” the official was quoted as saying.

On the ground, an Israeli airstrike targeted the area surrounding the Qaraoun Lake Dam after a particularly intense night of strikes in Suhmour.

Lebanese broadcaster MTV reported hearing heavy machine-gun fire only meters away from Beaufort Castle after Israeli forces reportedly advanced to the area surrounding the historic site.

A security source told Lebanese broadcaster Al Jadeed that an Israeli military vehicle infiltrated the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa near the Lavita Hall area before later withdrawing.

Israeli strikes throughout the day targeted multiple towns and villages, including Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Mifdoun, Tayr Debba, Barish, Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Srifa and Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa.

Before dawn, Israeli warplanes carried out two consecutive strikes on the town of Briqaa in Nabatiyeh district, destroying two homes. No casualties were immediately reported.

Heavy artillery shelling also struck the areas between Zefta and Deir Zahrani, with explosions reportedly heard as far as Sidon and nearby areas.

Intense shelling was also reported in Kfar Remen.

Later in the evening, Israeli airstrikes hit Kfar Remen, Mifadoun, Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, Briqaa, Choukin, Zebdine, Suhmour and areas surrounding the Qaraoun dam.

Israeli artillery also targeted overnight the towns of Mansouri, Hanniyeh, Zibqin, Srifa and the outskirts of Kfar Remen.

Residents in Beirut and several other areas reported hearing a loud explosion at dawn, which was later attributed to the interception of a missile. No strike was reported in connection with the blast.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Civil Defense announced the death of firefighter Kamel Zein, a volunteer member of the Suhmour civil defense center under the Jib Jennine regional unit, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Qaraoun while carrying out what authorities described as his humanitarian duties.

Israeli warplanes also struck Deir Aames before dawn, killing two people and wounding another.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry Emergency Operations Center said Israeli strikes over the past several hours killed 31 people and wounded 40 others in several areas across southern Lebanon.

According to the ministry, Burj al-Shamali recorded 14 deaths, including two children and three women, in addition to 16 wounded, among them five children and six women.

In Kawthariyet al-Riz, five people were killed and six wounded, including two children.

Habboush recorded four deaths, including two children, and 10 wounded, among them two children and three women.

In Maarakeh, six people were killed and six others wounded, including one child, while Selaa recorded two deaths and two injuries.