The Israeli military says its forces are attacking key sites in southern Lebanon, as fierce clashes with Hezbollah continue near the town of Khiam.
Posted on March 16, 2026
The Israeli military says its troops have begun ground operations in southern Lebanon as fighting against Hezbollah intensifies around the strategic southern town of Khiam.
At least three airstrikes hit the city of Khiam, Al Jazeera Arabic reported Monday.
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Khiam, a Hezbollah stronghold, is strategically located and seen as a gateway to southern Lebanon. The latest war began after Hezbollah fired rockets in response to the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah had not attacked Israel since the 2024 ceasefire, despite repeated Israeli violations of the US-brokered deal.
On Monday morning, two Israeli airstrikes targeted the town of Yater, Al Jazeera reported in Arabic. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Israel also launched attacks on Burj Qalawiya, Sultaniya and Chaqra, also in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. Two raids were also carried out on the cities of Qantara and as-Sawana.
The Israeli military, in a post on X, said Monday that its troops in recent days were “focused on ground operations on key targets in southern Lebanon to expand the forward defense area.”
“This operation is part of the effort to establish forward defense, which includes the destruction of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists,” he added.
Importance of Jiam
Khiam sits on high ground just a few kilometers from the Israeli border and the Litani River, giving it a commanding view over northern Israel and the nearby Lebanese plains.
Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said “a big battle was going on” in and around Khiam. “The elevation of Khiam for both sides gives them a strategic advantage,” he said.
Furthermore, Khodr noted that the city lies at a “long and important crossroads… a highway leading to the eastern and western sectors of southern Lebanon.”
“One of the roads also leads to the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, another area where Hezbollah has influence,” he said.
“What Israel has been trying to do is really cut off Hezbollah’s difficult supply lines and capabilities, so it can’t bring more weapons and fighters to the areas south of the Litani River.”
More than 800,000 people, including women and children, have been forced to flee their homes as the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for many neighborhoods in southern Lebanon, as well as the capital, Beirut.
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have so far killed at least 850 people, including 107 children and 66 women.
