Israeli military units were moved into new positions in southern Lebanon overnight, officials said, with commanders characterising the deployment as defensive and limited to the borderline area.
In an online briefing, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters that the forces were positioned to "prevent attacks against civilians and very strategic important points." He said the troops were "only at the borderline area in a defensive manner," framing the action as protection for both civilians and strategic sites.
Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a statement saying he had authorised the military to advance and seize control of additional positions inside Lebanon. The minister's authorisation followed the firing of rockets at Israel late on Sunday, an incident reported as a reaction to U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.
The military note added that Israeli forces have maintained control of five positions in southern Lebanon since November 2024. The recent moves extend that presence with what officials describe as defensive deployments along the frontier.
This account of events emphasises the limited geographic scope cited by the military - the "borderline area" - and the stated intent to protect noncombatants and what were referred to as "very strategic important points." Officials linked the decision to authorised advances to the rocket fire that occurred late on Sunday.
Public statements by the military and the defence minister presented the actions as responsive measures taken after the rocket attack, with the minister authorising an advance to take control of additional positions inside Lebanon. The timeline in the official comments places the authorisation after the rockets were fired, which the statements attribute to a reaction to strikes against Iran.
Notable factual points in the official account:
- The deployment took place overnight and is described as defensive in nature.
- Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani stated the troops are "only at the borderline area in a defensive manner to prevent attacks against civilians and very strategic important points."
- Defence Minister Israel Katz authorised advances to take control of additional positions after rockets were fired at Israel late on Sunday.
- Israeli forces have held five positions in southern Lebanon since November 2024.