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Israel Authorizes IDF to Seize Strategic Areas in Lebanon, Defense Minister Confirms

Israel Defense Forces authorized to hold strategic positions in southern Lebanon to protect northern border communities amid ongoing strikes and escalating conflict with Hezbollah.

  • Defence Minister Israel Katz announced Tuesday that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorised the IDF to enter and hold positions in southern Lebanon to prevent fire on Israeli border communities, with ground forces launching forward defensive operations south of the Litani River.
  • Regional strikes and counterstrikes between Iran and Israel escalated after the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli campaign killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with Hezbollah retaliating by targeting Ramat David and Meron air bases.
  • NNA and ministry reports list casualties and wounded, including 31 killed and 149 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, with warnings issued to 59 villages and over 50 areas for evacuation, targeting `Hezbollah command centres and weapons storage facilities in Beirut` — Israel said.
  • IDF leadership signalled firm intent, with Zamir stating `Hezbollah suffering a devastating blow`, and Trump warning `You'll soon know our response` amid market disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The IDF's declared readiness to operate across arenas suggests coordinated strikes on Tehran and Beirut, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned against dragging Lebanon into a broader war.
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FDD's Long War Journal broke the news in on Monday, March 2, 2026.
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