The Israeli army has intensified its ground offensive in southern Lebanon and deployed a fourth division in its battle against the Islamist Hezbollah militia.
A division is a large military unit consisting of several brigades and usually containing thousands of soldiers.
The army said the 146th Reserve Division has been operating in the western sector of southern Lebanon since Monday.
Prior to the dramatic increase in fighting in the region, areas along the western part of Israel’s de facto border with Lebanon were designated as closed military zones.
Reports indicate that three other Israeli divisions are currently deployed in the central and eastern sectors of the front.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah has launched attacks on Israel over the past year, claiming it is acting “in solidarity” with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The regular exchange of fire has cost lives on both sides.
Israel’s current goal is to push the militia away from the border, allowing about 60,000 evacuated Israelis to return to their homes.
