Fighting between invading Israeli troops and Hezbollah resumed over the past 48 hours in Khiam, a strategic town in the eastern sector of south Lebanon.
Israeli forces partially captured the town after weeks of intense fighting, where Hezbollah recently launched a counteroffensive, mainly in northern neighborhoods, as Israeli troops continue systematically demolishing homes and buildings.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has repeatedly declared this policy of destruction, as Israel seeks to establish an “expanded buffer zone” extending south of the Litani River.
The invasion is also ongoing along the western coastal sector and the central sector, where Hezbollah has recently claimed attacks against Israeli advances and positions established in villages captured in recent days. Here is an overview of the offensive as of the morning of April 2, 2026.
Western sector
In the Sour district, Israeli forces are reinforcing their positions along the coast, with reports of them destroying roads and buildings in Naqoura, which they have captured.
Hezbollah continues to target Israeli positions in Bayyada and Shamaa, reaching as far as the fortress in the latter town, about 10 kilometers south of Sour. Israeli forces captured Shamaa during the 2024 war.
Central sector
Israeli forces appear intent on encircling Bint Jbeil, the district’s main town. Hezbollah's former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, delivered a “victory speech” there after the July 2006 war.
Israeli troops are advancing on two fronts in the district. To the west, they are pushing from Qawzah toward Dibil — where houses on the outskirts were blown up Wednesday — and toward Rshaf.
To the east, they are advancing from Aitaroun and Maroun al-Ras toward Ainata, northeast of Bint Jbeil. Israeli forces appear determined to seize the Friz hill, which overlooks the area.
Eastern sector
Israeli forces have made their most significant advance in the Marjayoun district, where they continue consolidating positions. The sector is strategic because the Litani River lies less than 10 kilometers from the border there.
Israeli troops appear to have reached the river after advancing as far as Deir Siryan, where they continue demolition operations.
Hezbollah continues to claim attacks on Israeli positions in the nearby village of Qantara, already under Israeli control. Some media reports indicate Israeli troops have begun moving deeper into the strategic Wadi Hujeir valley.
The main towns in this sector are Khiam and Marjayoun. While Israel says it has captured Khiam, heavy fighting has continued there for two days, particularly in the north, where Hezbollah launched a counteroffensive.
Toward a new front in West Bekaa?
If Israeli forces continue advancing in the eastern sector, they could push toward Mount Rihan in the Jezzine district, which borders West Bekaa and was heavily bombed during the cease-fire. Their objective would be to access the Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah’s main weapons depots are believed to be located.
On March 30, the Israeli army included several West Bekaa localities in evacuation orders. Since then, strikes have targeted multiple villages in the area, including Sohmor.
To advance, Israeli forces could move along two main axes: from Khiam and Marjayoun toward Kawkaba and Dallafeh, and from the far eastern sector — from Kfar Shuba toward Kfar Hammam and Hebbarieh, extending to Rashaya al-Foukhar and Freidis in the Hasbaya district — to reach areas facing key West Bekaa towns such as Zellaya and Maidoun. Israeli forces could also rely on positions they hold on the Syrian side of the border, near Mount Hermon.
