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The Israel Defense Forces is preparing to expand operations in Lebanon in the near future, according to an Israeli source cited by CNN, with the planned moves described as coordinated with the United States. The source said the Israeli military is also seeking to renew strikes on Beirut and target senior Hezbollah figures there. The sharper approach is intended to counter Hezbollah’s drone capabilities, including fiber-optic drones that Israel has found difficult to intercept.
The escalation comes even as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon remains formally in place. Despite the agreement reached last month, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued almost daily. Israeli strikes have largely been concentrated south of the Litani River, where Israeli troops are also occupying a stretch of border territory. In parallel, Hezbollah has kept up attacks on Israeli border communities using drones and rockets.
On Monday, the IDF said Hezbollah launched multiple explosive drones toward Israeli soldiers and Israeli territory. Some of the drones fell inside Israel, but the military said no injuries were reported. Later in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled an even tougher military posture, saying Israel would “intensify the blows” and “increase the force” used against Hezbollah. He said the country was not easing pressure on the militant group and needed to push harder.
The IDF said late Monday that it was striking Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley in the east, along with additional areas across the country, including the coastal city of Tyre. In a separate statement, the military said it hit more than 70 Hezbollah infrastructure sites nationwide on Monday. Those targets included command centers, weapons storage facilities and other locations linked to the group in Tyre.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency also reported strikes on towns in southern Lebanon on Monday evening. The reporting underscored the fragility of the ceasefire and the continued cycle of attacks and counterattacks along the border and beyond.
The fighting has remained especially intense in areas near the frontier, while Israel has expanded pressure deeper into Lebanese territory through repeated airstrikes. The reported focus on Hezbollah drone operations reflects a broader concern in Israel over the group’s evolving capabilities and the challenge of defending against new aerial threats. The latest developments suggest both sides remain locked in an unstable confrontation despite diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict.
