Israel expands ground ops, Hezbollah hits tanks

Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have expanded, with artillery shelling reported in the areas of Kounine and Al-Qusayr. Israeli forces also mined and demolished parts of several towns, including Deir Siryan, Taybeh, Qantara, Rab Al-Thalathin, Beit Yahoun, and Shama, with images showing explosions in residential areas. In a new violation of the ceasefire, Israeli forces entered the Azra'il area near Kafr Shouba. Hezbollah claimed it attacked a convoy of eight Israeli armored vehicles moving from Taybeh toward Deir Siryan with roadside bombs, destroying and burning four Merkava tanks. The Israeli army separately warned residents of southern Lebanon not to head south of 21 towns and not to return to 58 other towns.