Israel to take control of security zone in south Lebanon

Israel says its military will take control of a security zone in southern Lebanon, extending up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometres from the border.

The announcement comes amid intensified air and ground operations, with Israeli forces continuing strikes across Lebanon.

In a related development, Lebanon’s foreign ministry has declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata, giving him until Sunday to leave the country—an unprecedented move since the latest conflict began.

The crisis escalated after the Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel on March 2, in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Since then, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed more than 1,000 people and displaced over one million others across Lebanon within weeks of fighting. Ground troops have also been deployed to southern parts of the country.

Lebanon’s state-run news Agency reports that fresh strikes hit areas in the south, east, and near the capital, Beirut, following overnight bombardments of the city’s southern suburbs.

Eyewitness accounts describe widespread destruction in parts of southern Beirut, with buildings reduced to rubble and debris scattered across streets.

The Israeli military says it targeted what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and other locations.