The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has intensified its ground operation against Hezbollah, announcing the deployment of a fourth division in its ongoing efforts to dismantle the Iran-backed group’s infrastructure. This marks the eighth day of military action aimed at addressing the escalating conflict that has seen increased hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made a bold statement, suggesting that the successor to the assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah may have also been eliminated. This comment came shortly after Hezbollah’s former deputy, Naim Qassem, claimed that the group had recovered from recent attacks by Israel and remained fully operational.

The situation has escalated sharply, with Hezbollah launching barrages of rockets into the northern Israeli port city of Haifa for the third consecutive day, injuring 12 people. Despite suffering heavy casualties and infrastructure damage from Israeli strikes—over 1,400 deaths and 1.2 million displaced, according to Lebanese authorities—Hezbollah remains defiant, claiming its capabilities are intact.

The hostilities, which have intensified since Hezbollah began its rocket attacks in solidarity with Palestinians on October 8, 2023, are a response to a year of cross-border skirmishes. Israel has stated that its operations are aimed at ensuring the safety of residents in border areas who have been forced to evacuate due to Hezbollah’s attacks.

In an operational update, the IDF announced that reservists from its 146th Division have commenced targeted activities in southwestern Lebanon. This addition brings the total number of IDF personnel deployed to over 15,000, with recent operations reportedly resulting in the seizure of a Hezbollah combat compound in Maroun al-Ras. The IDF released images purportedly showing weapon caches, including a loaded rocket launcher.

The IDF has also issued evacuation orders for additional towns and villages near the border, urging residents to relocate north of the Awali River. The military warned civilians and tourists to avoid beaches and maritime activities south of the river as the conflict rages on.

The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict, with the UN special coordinator for Lebanon stating that the situation is “nothing short of catastrophic.” The Lebanese government reports that around 1.2 million people have fled their homes, with approximately 180,000 seeking refuge in designated centers. Over 400,000 individuals have also crossed into war-torn Syria, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The World Food Programme highlighted significant concerns about Lebanon’s food security, noting that extensive agricultural areas have been damaged or abandoned due to ongoing violence.

On the military front, the IDF conducted further airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday, with reports indicating that the commander of Hezbollah’s headquarters was killed in an earlier strike. This comes amidst a series of successful Israeli operations against the group’s leadership.

In a defiant televised address, Qassem asserted that Hezbollah’s command structure remains robust, and that their missile capabilities remain a threat to numerous Israeli cities. As the conflict escalates, both sides brace for further confrontation amid a backdrop of regional instability.