Israeli Troops Push Deepest into Lebanon Since October Invasion

Israeli ground forces advanced deeper into Lebanon than at any point since the start of their six-week invasion, before retreating on Saturday after intense clashes with Hezbollah militants, according to Lebanese state media.

The fighting and continued Israeli airstrikes occurred as Lebanese officials and Hezbollah reviewed a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Israeli troops briefly occupied a strategic hill in Shamaa, a village located about five kilometers from the border. Reports from the National News Agency indicated that the Israeli forces demolished the Shrine of Shimon the Prophet along with several homes in the area.

Israel’s military declined to comment on the operations but stated that its forces continue to conduct “limited, localized” missions in southern Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold, as well as other areas such as the coastal city of Tyre. In the northeastern village of Khraibeh, an airstrike killed a family of six, including four children, according to Lebanese media reports. In Dahiyeh, a teenage girl was severely injured by shrapnel and remained in critical condition, as confirmed by hospital officials.

Israel’s military reported that multiple Hezbollah sites were struck during the operations. The escalation in attacks on Lebanon, which began in late September, is part of Israel’s stated objective to weaken Hezbollah and halt its rocket attacks launched in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched a barrage of missiles into Israel on Saturday, targeting Haifa and its surrounding areas. Israeli officials reported that a synagogue was struck and two civilians were lightly injured in the attack. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting five Israeli military sites and said it had launched over 60 projectiles into northern Israel.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties in Lebanon, with over 3,400 deaths reported, 80% of which have occurred in the past two months, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. In Israel, the military announced the death of a soldier in southern Lebanon on Friday.

As the violence continues, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire are underway. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister reportedly urged Iran to encourage Hezbollah to accept the U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal. The draft, based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, has been handed to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is leading negotiations on behalf of Hezbollah. Lebanon’s response to the proposal is expected on Monday.

While details of the proposal are being debated, Berri emphasized that Lebanon will not tolerate any infringement on its sovereignty. He rejected a clause that would allow Israel to take action in Lebanon if the agreement is violated and opposed the inclusion of Western countries on a proposed supervisory committee, citing the presence of an existing U.N. peacekeeping force near the border.

Despite ongoing negotiations, Berri described the atmosphere as positive, stating that the outcome depends on how talks progress.