Israeli forces moved extra troops into southern Lebanon overnight, taking up positions the military describes as defensive to protect civilians and strategic sites from potential Hezbollah attacks. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the deployments are limited to the borderline and purely defensive. Defence Minister Israel Katz authorised the advance after Hezbollah fired rockets late Sunday, reportedly in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Israeli forces have held five positions in the area since November 2024.
Israel Deploys Additional Troops To Southern Lebanon, Says Move Is Defensive
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 3, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Tel Aviv, March 3 (Reuters) - The Israeli military said it deployed additional forces into southern Lebanon overnight to take up defensive positions intended to protect Israeli civilians and strategic sites from any potential Hezbollah attack.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters during an online briefing that the troops were positioned along the borderline and described their mission as strictly defensive.
"We're only at the borderline area in a defensive manner to prevent attacks against civilians and very strategic important points," Shoshani said.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that he had authorised the military to advance and secure additional positions in Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel late on Sunday. Israeli officials described the rocket fire as a response to recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Israeli forces have occupied five positions in southern Lebanon since November 2024, according to the military.
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell and Steven Scheer; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
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