Israel planning largest Lebanon ground offensive since 2006 — Axios: IDF to seize all territory south of Litani
·Southern Lebanon
Israel is preparing to launch its largest-scale ground offensive in Lebanon since the 2006 war, Axios reported on Saturday citing Israeli officials. The plan calls for IDF forces to seize the entire area south of the Litani River and dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure — an operation officials describe as intended to be 'like Gaza.' The offensive would represent a dramatic escalation from the current air campaign and could trigger a broader regional war involving Hezbollah ground forces, Syrian border dynamics, and UNIFIL peacekeeping forces.
Israel is preparing to launch its largest ground offensive in Lebanon since the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Axios reported Saturday citing Israeli officials. According to the report, the Israeli military plans to seize the entire area south of the Litani River and systematically dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure — an ambition officials characterize as intending to replicate the Gaza campaign model.
The Litani River runs roughly 20-30 km north of the Israeli border, and the territory south of it represents the historical heartland of Hezbollah's southern command, rocket storage infrastructure, tunnel networks, and forward operating positions. Seizing and holding this entire zone would require a sustained ground campaign with significant force deployment — potentially tens of thousands of troops.
The planning comes as IDF has already dramatically intensified its air campaign against Lebanon, including strikes on UNIFIL positions, the Zrarieh Bridge over the Litani, the Lebanese University campus, and central Beirut government buildings. At least 687 people have been killed in Lebanon since last Monday, with 700,000–750,000 displaced. Israeli Defense Minister Katz had warned Lebanon it would 'lose territory' if attacks continued.
Hezbollah's Naim Qassem declared an 'existential battle' on Day 14, signaling the organization expects a major confrontation and will not retreat. A ground invasion south of the Litani would directly engage Hezbollah combat formations, dramatically increase casualty risk for both sides, and draw in additional actors including Syrian border dynamics and Iran's proxy coordination networks.
Israel will do what is necessary to ensure the security of its northern communities. Hezbollah's military infrastructure south of the Litani must be eliminated. Israel is prepared for all necessary operations.
The enemy will find the same resistance in 2026 that it found in 2006. We are ready. This is an existential battle and we will not retreat from a single inch of Lebanese soil.
NATO allies are deeply concerned by reports of a planned large-scale Israeli ground operation in Lebanon. The humanitarian consequences would be severe. We urge restraint and call for protection of civilians and UN peacekeepers.
A ground invasion of Lebanon will be met with the full force of the resistance axis. Iran stands firmly with Lebanon and Hezbollah. The Israeli enemy will pay an enormous price.