16.03.2026 15:02
As the war that unsettles the world continues with all its violence on its 17th day, a surprise move came from Israel this morning. The Israeli army, which launched a ground operation to expand the "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, continues its raids through the 36th Division, and the first images from the region have also emerged. In the released photo, it was seen that the Israeli army has deployed a large number of tanks in the area to target Hezbollah positions.
The Israeli army announced that it has launched ground attacks targeting key points in southern Lebanon, which it aims to expand its occupation of, with intense assaults over the past few days.
EXPANDING THE BUFFER ZONE
In a written statement from the Israeli army, it was claimed that the ground attack was initiated to expand the "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.
TROOP REINFORCEMENTS SENT TO THE REGION
It was stated that troop reinforcements had previously been sent to the region for a "targeted ground operation" announced to have started in southern Lebanon.
91ST DIVISION ENGAGED IN ATTACKS
It was reported that the 91st Division of the Israeli army began conducting attacks in southeastern Lebanon late Saturday night. It was noted that prior to the ground forces, the Israeli army carried out intense airstrikes and artillery fire in the region.
THEY ARE CONDUCTING RAIDS
On the other hand, it was recorded that the 146th Reserve Division is deployed in southwestern Lebanon, while the 36th Division is conducting raids in the Rab el-Talatin area.
FIRST IMAGES FROM THE OPERATION HAVE ARRIVED
Meanwhile, the first images from the front have also emerged as the ground operation continues. In a photo released by Reuters, it was seen that Israel has deployed numerous tanks and soldiers to the region to target Hezbollah positions.
WHY DID ISRAEL INITIATE A GROUND OPERATION?
The main reason for Israel's initiation of a ground operation in Lebanon is cited as the increasing military tensions and border security concerns with Hezbollah, which operates in southern Lebanon. Following the war that began in Gaza, Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel using rockets, missiles, and drones rapidly escalated the conflicts between the two sides. The Israeli administration stated that many settlements along the northern border have been evacuated due to these attacks, and thousands of civilians have been evacuated from the region. The Tel Aviv administration announced that it has launched a ground operation to eliminate security risks along the border and to push Hezbollah forces away from the Israeli border.
The Israeli army states that the objective of the operation is to weaken Hezbollah's military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, destroy rocket and missile depots, and end the organization's presence along the border. Israel also argues that Hezbollah's tunnel networks and attack preparations pose a serious threat to northern Israel. Therefore, it is expressed that the operation also aims to establish a security line along the Israeli border.
On the other hand, Hezbollah claims that it is responding to Israel's military operations in Gaza and defending Lebanese territory. Hezbollah, known for its closeness to Iran, being one of the strongest armed groups in the region, causes the conflict to be seen not only as a matter between Israel and Lebanon but also as part of a broader regional tension. According to experts, Israel's ground operation in Lebanon also carries the risk of spreading the conflict in the Middle East to a wider area following the Gaza war.
ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON LEBANON
In a statement made by the Israeli army on March 2, it was mentioned that sirens were activated in the northern part of the country after detecting missile launches from Lebanon. Later, the Israeli army announced that it had initiated airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting the capital Beirut, and decided to expand its ground occupation in Lebanon, conducting intense attacks from the air and sea.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on March 15 that 850 people have lost their lives and 2,105 have been injured in the attacks carried out by Israel in Lebanon since March 2. The Disaster Management affiliated with the Lebanese government reported that the number of people forcibly displaced in Lebanon due to Israel's occupation and attacks has exceeded 830,000.