The Israeli army says the offensive is part of Operation Roaring Lion, to dismantle the group’s infrastructure
The Israel Defense Forces announced this Monday (March 16, 2026) the start of limited and targeted ground operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The information was released by the Israeli military itself in a publication on X and in official updates from the so-called Operation Roaring Lion.
According to the statement, the actions target strongholds considered strategic by the armed group and are part of a broader defensive effort to reinforce security in the border region. The objective is to “dismantling terrorist infrastructure and eliminating terrorists operating in the area”.
Israeli forces said the offensive seeks to create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel.
In , the Israeli Army reported that units from the 91st Division began ground operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon as part of the expanded defensive strategy.
“Prior to the entry of troops into the area, the Israel Defense Forces carried out strikes using both artillery and the Israeli Air Force against several terrorist targets in order to mitigate threats in the operational environment.”, said the text.
The statement also stated that, in recent days, troops carried out searches in the area of operations and located a weapons cache, where dozens of rockets, explosive devices and firearms were found. According to the statement, 2 armed Hezbollah fighters who were advancing towards Israeli soldiers were also hit in a recent operation.
The updates also indicate that Israeli forces detected missiles launched from Iran towards Israeli territory, and that air defense systems were activated to intercept the projectiles.
“The Israel Defense Forces will continue to operate resolutely against the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which has chosen to join hostilities and operate under the sponsorship of the Iranian terrorist regime. The IDF will not allow Israeli civilians to be harmed.”
On another front of the operation, the Israeli Air Force carried out attacks against targets that, according to the Israeli government, are part of the Iranian military infrastructure. According to the statement, facilities linked to the Iranian regime were hit in cities such as Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz.
“The Israel Defense Forces are currently attacking Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Beirut.”
CLIMBING IN TENSION
The event was held after weeks of tension between the 2 countries. On February 19, Trump stated that, within 10 days, he would know whether to give “one step forward” in relation to an attack against the Persian country.
Afterwards, the Republican declared that everyone, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Dan Caine, considers that a possible war against Iran would result in one.
In , on Tuesday (24.Feb), Trump said that the US had not yet heard Iran pronounce “those magic words: ‘we will never have a nuclear weapon’”. In his speech, the American president stated that the Persian regime “has already developed missiles that could threaten Europe and our bases abroad, and is working to build missiles that will soon reach the USA”.
Trump’s statements were made while dealing with Iran, which did not result in an agreement.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the country if the Americans recognized its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and lifted economic sanctions.
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