The Israeli military said Tuesday it has deployed additional forces deeper into southern Lebanon as part of an expanded buffer zone, following cross-border attacks launched by Hezbollah earlier this month.

The army said the move is aimed at widening what it calls a “forward defense area,” designed to push threats away from Israel’s northern border and enhance security for residents of the Galilee.

According to the military, the 36th Division — which began operations in southern Lebanon last week — has in recent days launched a new “targeted ground operation toward an additional objective.” The expansion comes alongside ongoing operations by the 91st “Galilee” Regional Division, which is conducting a similar mission in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the 146th Reserve Division remains deployed in a defensive role in the western sector.

The Israeli army said it is preparing to send further reinforcements into southern Lebanon as part of broader plans to deepen its buffer zone and reduce Hezbollah’s presence near the border.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that Israeli forces carried out extensive preparatory strikes before advancing.

“Prior to the entry of ground forces, the Israeli military conducted strikes using artillery and air force aircraft targeting numerous terrorist sites in the area,” he said, adding that operations against Hezbollah would continue. “Any harm to Israeli citizens will not be tolerated.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli military reiterated a wide-scale evacuation warning for civilians in southern Lebanon, urging residents to move north of the Zahrani River. 

“Hezbollah’s terrorist activities are forcing the Israeli army to act forcefully in this area, and it does not intend to harm you,” Adraee said, adding that airstrikes were ongoing and that Israeli forces were operating “with great force” in southern Lebanon.

“For your safety, we again urge you to evacuate your homes immediately and move at once to the north of the Zahrani River,” Adraee said, warning that any movement toward the south could put civilians’ lives at risk.

Earlier Tuesday, Israeli warplanes carried out a powerful airstrike on the Wadi Arab al-Jal area in the Sidon district, with explosions heard across the city of Sidon and its eastern outskirts. The strike followed an urgent warning issued by Adraee to residents in the village of Arab al-Jal.

Airstrikes and artillery shelling continued overnight into Tuesday, with reports of a ground incursion and the abduction of a Lebanese citizen from his home.

Israeli warplanes carried out a series of strikes targeting several towns across southern Lebanon, including Bint Jbeil, Taybeh, Debaal, Deir Kifa, Qana, Zibqin, Kfar Joz, Habboush, Bayad, Sajd, and Kfour in the Nabatiyeh district.

A strike on Deir Kifa reportedly killed three people, who remain trapped under the rubble, while a rocket landed in the Khashna area of Qana without detonating.

At the same time, Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of multiple towns, including areas around Jabal al-Botm, Yater, Zibqin, Taybeh, Khiyam, and Kfarshouba.

In a significant development at dawn, Israeli forces advanced into the border town of Kfarshouba, raided several homes on its outskirts, and abducted a Lebanese citizen identified as Qassem al-Qadri before withdrawing to positions in the town’s highlands. Al-Qadri was released a few hours later. 

Also at dawn, two airstrikes targeted the Kafaat area and Haret Hreik, following overnight warnings issued by the Israeli army to several areas, including Laylaki, Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Chiyah, and Hadath.