This {photograph} reveals the destruction after an Israeli airstrike that focused the southern coastal metropolis of Tyre’s Al Hosh neighborhood, on March 19, 2026. Lebanon was drawn into the Center East conflict on March 2 when militant group Hezbollah launched rockets in direction of Israel to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
| Picture Credit score: AFP
Hezbollah stated on Thursday (March 19, 2026) its fighters had been battling Israeli forces in south Lebanon, as a army supply on the bottom stated Israeli troops had been slowly advancing whereas “systematically destroying” border cities.
Lebanon was drawn into the Center East conflict on March 2 when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel to avenge the killing of supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Israel responded with intense strikes on Lebanon which have killed no less than 968 folks and displaced over 1,000,000 extra, in keeping with native authorities, and by launching floor operations within the south.
In an announcement, Hezbollah stated its fighters had ambushed Israeli troops coming into the border city of Taybeh and destroyed a tank.
“The enemy then tried to proceed its advance” from a close-by space, however fighters “once more focused them with guided missiles, scoring direct hits and destroying 5 Merkava tanks”, Hezbollah added.
“Enemy troopers had been seen fleeing the realm of engagement.”
The Israeli military introduced on Monday that it had launched “restricted” floor operations in Lebanon.
A army supply in south Lebanon instructed AFP that the Israeli military was advancing slowly and “systematically destroying” the border villages it enters.
‘Violent evening’
Lebanon’s state-run Nationwide Information Company reported a “violent evening” in Khiam and Taybeh, saying the cities had been “focused by a number of airstrikes and subjected to heavy artillery shelling that continued till daybreak”.
On Wednesday (March 18, 2026), Hezbollah stated it had repelled an try by “Israeli enemy troopers to advance” in Khiam.
In latest days, the group has reported concentrating on Israeli forces on the border with Lebanon and inside Lebanese cities comparable to Khiam.
The city overlooks a part of southern Lebanon and northern Israel and was the primary level into which Israeli forces superior after the beginning of the conflict.
It was additionally the location of intense clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah throughout their final conflict in 2024.
The army supply on the bottom, who requested anonymity, stated that Israeli troopers “have nearly captured the city”.
“They advance one or two kilometres a day and take the time to systematically destroy the cities they enter, comparable to Kfar Kila or Aitaroun,” he added.
“They bulldoze what just isn’t destroyed by airstrikes or artillery” whereas “they’re engaged in floor combating in opposition to Hezbollah, whose males are combating in small teams”.
Israel has issued warnings to all residents south of the Zahrani River, greater than 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the border, to evacuate, and has stated it desires to create a buffer zone in Lebanon to guard residents of north Israel.
On Wednesday, the UN peacekeeping drive stated it was deeply involved by a “violent escalation” in Lebanon, citing “intensified air and floor exercise, and elevated presence of Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory”.
Printed – March 19, 2026 10:25 pm IST