Mapped out: Israel claims capture of Bint Jbeil and advances in Marjayoun

SOUTH LEBANON — Fierce fighting rages between the Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters in Bint Jbeil. On Monday afternoon, the Israeli army spokesperson claimed the capture of the city stadium, where former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivered his victory speech after Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon in 2000.

Israel entered the city after encircling it. If, unlike the wars of 2006 and 2024, its army succeeds in taking this area, it would be a significant blow to Hezbollah.

The invasion continues simultaneously along the other two axes of combat in South Lebanon. In the eastern sector, Israel is trying to consolidate its position in Khiam and clashes continue in Taybeh. In the western sector, the Israeli army is strengthening its positions on the coast. An update on the invasion mapped out, as of the morning of April 14, 2026.

Western sector

In the Sour district, the Israeli army controls Naqoura, Shamaa, and Bayada and does not appear to want to push further. The Israelis are reinforcing their positions in this sector, with more building destruction reported in Naqoura in the past 24 hours.

Central sector

Here, the Israeli army has entered Bint Jbeil, where intense fighting is taking place with Hezbollah, including in the city center. Considered the "Hezbollah capital," this city carries high symbolism. The Israelis have claimed the capture of the city stadium, where the former militia leader Hassan Nasrallah gave the "victory speech" after the Israeli withdrawal in 2000.

It also cuts in two the "anti-tank line," an eight-kilometer-deep buffer zone that Israel is trying to establish in South Lebanon. On Monday, Hezbollah claimed numerous attacks on Israeli positions in the city.

Eastern sector

In the Marjayoun district the Israelis have advanced the most and continue to strengthen their position. This sector is strategic, as the Litani River is just a few kilometers from the border in this area. The Israelis even appear to have reached the river and advanced on Deir Seriane, a village on the river's heights, where the Israeli army continues demolitions. However, information from sources on the ground indicates the Israelis may have repositioned, leaving this locality to focus on ongoing fighting in Taybeh.

They have also claimed the capture of Khiam and continue to advance around the city, thus forcing Hezbollah to fight on two fronts (this one and Bint Jbeil).

A new front in West Bekaa?

If the Israelis continue their advance in the eastern sector, they could push further toward Mount Rihan (Jezzine district), which borders West Bekaa and has endured heavy bombardment during the cease-fire period. Their objective is to access the rest of Bekaa from this region, where Hezbollah's main arms depots are believed to be located. On Monday, the Israelis struck the locality of Sohmor in this district.

To reach their objective on this front, the Israelis could advance along two main axes in the eastern sector: from Khiam and Marjayoun toward Kawkaba and Dalafa, and from the far east, from Kfar Shuba toward Kfarhamam and Hebbarieh, up to Rashaya al-Foukhar and Ferdis in the Hasbaya district, in order to reach areas facing key West Bekaa towns like Zellaya and Midoun. In this battle, they could rely on positions held on the Syrian side of the border, in Mount Hermon.