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Plumes of smoke rise from southern Lebanon following an Israeli bombardment on May 31 (local time). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that his forces would push deeper into Lebanese territory after securing Beaufort Castle, characterizing the current campaign as a dramatic turning point in the military operations against Hezbollah. / Photo via AFP, Yonhap News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on May 31 (local time) that the military is expanding the scope of its ground operations in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized, "I have instructed the military to expand ground operations within Lebanon," adding, "The objective is to consolidate and extend control over territories previously held by Hezbollah." Reuters reported that the Israeli military is pushing to advance beyond the Litani River front toward the Zaharani River, located approximately 10 kilometers further north.

In response to the escalating military tensions in Lebanon, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that it has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on June 1.

The Israeli military recently announced that its forces secured Beaufort Castle—a highly strategic stronghold in southern Lebanon—and its surrounding ridges. Military officials stated that the current operation aims to establish firm control over this area and the Wadi Salouqi region while neutralizing the military infrastructure of the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

This marks the first time Israel has taken control of Beaufort Castle in 26 years, since its military withdrawal from Lebanon in May 2000. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the government intends to maintain the area as an active Israeli security zone.

Meanwhile, some factions within Israeli politics are calling for even harsher military measures. Naftali Bennett, a political rival of Prime Minister Netanyahu, argued that the military should conduct extensive strikes targeting broader regions, including the outskirts of Beirut.

The current conflict erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah launched missile and drone strikes against northern Israel in support of Iran. According to the Lebanese government, Israeli airstrikes and subsequent evacuation orders have displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese residents and claimed at least 3,370 lives. Israel reported that 24 of its soldiers and four civilians were killed during the same period.

                                                                                                            Lee Jung-eun