Israeli forces suffered their most severe casualties yet in southern Lebanon as clashes with Hezbollah escalated, with two soldiers wounded during a military operation near Beirut. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the injuries on Thursday, marking the first major casualties since ground troops advanced deeper into the region in response to renewed cross-border rocket fire. Both soldiers, part of the Givati Brigade, were hospitalized, and their families were notified, though details remain scarce. The fighting unfolded as Israel launched a sweeping bombing campaign in the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting Hezbollah’s stronghold in the Dahiyeh area. The IDF ordered residents of the densely populated neighborhood to evacuate, prompting mass exodus as panic spread. Traffic in Beirut’s capital became gridlocked as thousands fled, with the military specifying evacuation routes. Hours later, air strikes began hitting Dahiyeh, aiming to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The operation coincided with reports of Iranian officers fleeing the area, with Axios citing that dozens of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials, including members of the Quds Force, had left Lebanon over fears of Israeli targeting. Lebanon reported a death toll of 123 from Israeli strikes, with over 83,000 people evacuated before the evacuation order. President Joseph Aoun sought urgent diplomatic intervention, contacting French President Emmanuel Macron to appeal for a halt to the strikes. Macron called for an end to the conflict, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to cease hostilities and offering aid to Lebanon. He also emphasized the need for Hezbollah to disarm and support Lebanon’s efforts to assert control over its territory.#hezbollah #iranian_revolutionary_guard_corps #beirut #israel_defense_forces #dahiyeh
