Israeli military forces intensified their ground campaign in southern Lebanon on Monday, according to military officials, with troops advancing toward the strategic Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil just hours before scheduled diplomatic meetings in Washington.
Military forces have surrounded the border town of Bint Jbeil and initiated ground operations focused on destroying Hezbollah infrastructure. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, over 100 Hezbollah fighters have been eliminated in the region, while dozens of facilities have been destroyed and hundreds of weapons seized.
Intense fighting at close range continues with air support, as military officials describe efforts to bolster their defensive positions around Bint Jbeil. Israeli forces also destroyed a Hezbollah underground tunnel network in southern Lebanon that had been used for coordinating and launching attacks against Israeli troops.
The town of Bint Jbeil serves as a key Hezbollah stronghold, and Israeli forces have been systematically surrounding the area over recent weeks as part of a larger campaign to establish control in southern Lebanon.
The location holds historical significance from the 2006 Second Lebanon War, when Israeli forces battled Hezbollah in the town but failed to achieve complete control.
Israeli military officials also announced that more than 250 Hezbollah fighters and leaders were killed across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon in what they characterized as their most extensive strike in the region.
Among those killed were Hezbollah operatives allegedly involved in weapons smuggling and storage, intelligence operations, target identification, and missile launches against Israel, according to military reports.
These military actions precede Tuesday’s planned negotiations in Washington featuring Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and US Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa, who will head their respective teams. Intelligence reports suggest Washington and Lebanon plan to push Israel toward accepting a ceasefire agreement, though Israel has previously indicated that any negotiations will occur “under fire.”
