Israeli forces have surrounded the strategic town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon after days of intense fighting with Hezbollah, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to Israeli military claims, more than 100 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in a combination of airstrikes and close-range combat. The operation, led by Israel’s 98th Division, aims to secure the border and push Hezbollah forces away while establishing a deeper security buffer zone. Hezbollah, however, says it continues to engage Israeli troops in “point-blank” clashes inside the town.

Israel and Hezbollah are trading cross-border strikes despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, raising fears of a wider regional escalation. The Israeli military launched fresh airstrikes and artillery shelling in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah responded with rocket fire targeting Israeli troops near the border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there is no ceasefire in Lebanon and vowed to continue operations against Hezbollah. Israel is pushing for direct negotiations with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, but Lebanese officials insist there will be no talks under fire.