The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had completed the deployment of ground troops along a “defence line” in southern Lebanon, where it is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah.
A Lebanese military source said the Israeli army had advanced to a depth of between five and nine kilometres (between three and 5.5 miles) inside Lebanese territory.
Israel’s military has not given any geographical details on the furthest point to which its soldiers have advanced into Lebanon.
Israeli media reported that the military did not intend at this stage to push troops deeper than around 20 kilometres north of the border.
“At this stage, IDF soldiers have completed their deployment along the anti-tank missile defence line and continue to operate in the area in order to strengthen the forward defensive posture and remove threats to the residents and communities of northern Israel,” a military statement said.
Defence Minister Israel Katz has said on several occasions in recent weeks that Israel…
