Smoke rises after an Israeli strike, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in southern Lebanon, March 25, 2026. (Credit: Stringer/Reuters)
BEIRUT — The Israeli army is advancing ever deeper into southern Lebanon, mainly in the Marjayoun district in the eastern sector, attempting to take control of the villages of Deir Seryan and Qantara, over nine kilometers from the Blue Line.
The invasion is continuing under cover of intense Israeli strikes on the area and its surroundings, notably including white phosphorus shells, and is facing repeated attacks from Hezbollah, which has claimed the destruction of around twenty Merkava tanks since overnight.
Israel announced that a soldier from its Golani Brigade, part of a “reconnaissance unit,” was killed in southern Lebanon in an “exchange of fire” around 2:00 a.m. He is the third Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon since the beginning of March. The soldier, identified as Ori Greenberg, 21, was killed, while an Israeli officer was slightly wounded by shrapnel from Israeli fire in southern Lebanon.
Fourteen other soldiers had to be evacuated “due to hypothermia” and were suffering from “mild cold-related injuries.” The army had also reported that two other soldiers were seriously wounded by mortar and rocket fire in southern Lebanon.
Merkava tanks destroyed and helicopter repelled
The Israeli army’s rare acknowledgment of losses highlighted the intensity of clashes from Wednesday night into Thursday, as Hezbollah reported significant Israeli casualties, including the destruction of at least 20 Merkava tanks.
Based on Hezbollah's announcements, the fighting also reached the villages of Qantara and Deir Siryan in the Marjayoun district overnight.
In a statement issued at 1:30 a.m., Hezbollah said it ambushed an Israeli force in Qantara, luring an armored unit into a pre-designated “kill zone” before striking it with guided missiles. The group said several tanks and military vehicles were destroyed, halting the advance.
In a statement issued at 1:30 a.m., Hezbollah said it ambushed an Israeli force in Qantara, luring an armored unit into a pre-designated "kill zone" before striking it with guided missiles. The party's fighters reported that several tanks and military vehicles were destroyed, halting the advance.
About 30 minutes later, Hezbollah released a comprehensive statement, saying that 10 Merkava tanks and two D9 bulldozers were destroyed along the Taybeh–Qantara axis.
In a separate operation, the group said it targeted an Israeli helicopter attempting to evacuate wounded soldiers, forcing it to withdraw after it was hit by an air defense missile.
Hezbollah also reported targeting two additional Merkava tanks in Deir Siryan. At around 2:20 a.m., it said its fighters engaged another invading Israeli force in the area with light and medium weapons, claiming "confirmed losses."
The group reported a record 87 operations on Wednesday, targeting both Israeli ground forces in Lebanon and sites in northern Israel.
By Thursday morning, sporadic gunfire and intermittent explosions continued along the Taybeh–Deir Siryan–Qantara axis, according to L'Orient Today's regional correspondent. Israeli artillery also struck several villages in Nabatieh district, including Arnoun, Yohmor, Zawtar Sharqieh and Zawtar Gharbieh.
At dawn, Hezbollah said it fired rockets at a gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in Qouzah, in the Bint Jbeil district.
Missile fire on Tel Aviv
Beyond the attacks on Israeli invading troops, Hezbollah said Wednesday that it launched precision missile attacks on Tel Aviv, targeting the Israeli Defense Ministry headquarters and a military intelligence base north of the city.
A Haaretz analysis reported that Israeli sirens sounded 48 times on Wednesday due to fire separate fire from Iran and Hezbollah, sending 6.6 million Israelis into shelters.
Multiple sites in Israel's north to Haifa and Tel Aviv sustained damage due to impact of rocket fire from both Hezbollah and Iran.
Israeli attacks intensify in south Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardment intensified across southern Lebanon overnight, hitting dozens of locations and causing casualties, according to local reports.
Airstrikes targeted the outskirts of Nabatieh, the city's al-Maslakh neighborhood, and homes in Srifa, causing several injuries. Strikes were also reported in Deir Aames, orchards in Qasmieh (Sour), Kounin (Bint Jbeil)— where three people were killed — Haddatha (Bint Jbeil), Touline (Marjayoun) — where seven people were injured — Burj Qalaway (Bint Jbeil), Qabrikha (Marjayoun) and the Rihan heights (Jezzine).
The Israeli air force carried out strikes on nearly 50 villages and towns before midnight, while drones hit two areas and artillery fire targeted at least 27 others. The full casualty toll remains unclear due to the intensity of the attacks, the correspondent said.
Israel has also repeatedly struck rescue operations, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, which reported Wednesday that Israeli killed 42 rescue workers since the start of the war.
