Israel Resumes Ground Offensive Beyond Lebanon Buffer Zone... Ceasefire Collapses

Major Offensive on Hezbollah Bases
Trump Holds Phone Call with Netanyahu

AP Yonhap News

The Israeli military has resumed ground operations against Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian armed faction, crossing the buffer zone in southern Lebanon. The ceasefire with Lebanon, which began on April 17 through U.S. mediation, has effectively collapsed. The United States, which is in the final stages of peace negotiations with Iran, is concerned that this development could become an obstacle to the talks. It is reported that U.S. President Donald Trump personally called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge restraint.

According to the local Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel (TOI), on the 26th (local time), the Israeli military broke through the 'Yellow Line' buffer zone in southern Lebanon, which had been established along the border as part of the ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States on April 17, and resumed ground operations. This buffer zone is located 5 to 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory.

The Israeli military reportedly attacked Hezbollah bases and has taken control of a significant area in southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated in a press release that "the Israeli military has deployed large-scale ground forces and is securing strategically advantageous areas." As a result, the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which had lasted for more than a month, has effectively collapsed.

Hezbollah has also launched a counterattack. In a statement on the 26th, Hezbollah announced, "We attacked Israeli forces advancing toward the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah in southern Lebanon with explosive-laden drones, rockets, and artillery fire." In addition, a drone intrusion alert was issued in the western Galilee region of northern Israel, and this attack is also believed to have been carried out by Hezbollah.

As Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon began in earnest, the U.S. government expressed concern that it could affect negotiations with Iran and called for restraint. According to TOI, President Trump personally called Prime Minister Netanyahu on this day and urged restraint in attacking Lebanon. TOI reported, "President Trump prohibited an attack on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, so as not to disrupt negotiations with Iran." Previously, Iran had demanded a halt to Israel's attacks on Lebanon as one of the conditions for negotiations with the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.