The United States has informed Israel that the ceasefire with Lebanon will remain in effect regardless of any developments involving Iran, Israel’s Channel 12 reported, citing sources, as fighting continued to escalate on the ground in southern Lebanon.

Separately, Haaretz reported that the Israeli military has begun deploying interceptor drones equipped with nets designed to counter explosive drones launched by Hezbollah, signaling an adaptation to evolving battlefield tactics.

On the ground, Israeli forces advanced into parts of southern Lebanon, with a unit backed by military vehicles and bulldozers moving toward the Marj area on the outskirts of Rmeish. The force deployed at the junction linking Rmeish, Debel, and Ayta al-Shaab, stopping at the entrance to the town.

The Israeli military also said it had uncovered rocket depots and launch platforms belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, as operations continued across multiple areas.

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli army issued urgent evacuation warnings to residents in several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including Qana, Debaal, Qaaqaiyat al-Jisr, and Srifa, ahead of planned strikes. Additional warnings were later extended to residents of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Mayfadoun, Qalaouiyah, Burj Qalaouiyah, al-Majadel, and Srifa, instructing them to move at least one kilometer away.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the warnings came “in light of Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement,” adding that Israeli forces were “compelled to act against it with force.”

“We do not intend to harm you,” Adraee said. “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from these towns and villages to open areas.”

He warned that “anyone located near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or military assets is putting their life at risk.”

Following the warnings, Israeli forces carried out a wave of airstrikes targeting what they described as Hezbollah infrastructure across multiple areas in southern Lebanon. Strikes hit the towns of Debaal, Qana, and Srifa.

Additional raids before noon targeted areas including Yahmor, Froun, Habboush, and Braachit north of Bint Jbeil, as well as Touline, Shehour, Qlayleh, Borj Qalaouiyah, and Zawtar al-Sharqiya. Two people were reported killed in an airstrike on the town of Shehour.

Artillery shelling was also reported in Kounine and Mansouri, while Israeli forces conducted overnight demolition operations in Khiam and Qantara. Drones remained active over southern Lebanon throughout the night and into the morning, according to local reports. Israeli forces also fired illumination flares over Braachit overnight and shelled the outskirts of Safad al-Battikh, Yater, Majdal Selm, and Shaqra.

Separately, the Israeli military said its troops raided a Hezbollah rocket-launching site earlier in the day, seizing a cache of weapons. According to the army, soldiers from the Givati Brigade’s reconnaissance unit found dozens of rockets along with assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and other equipment, as well as launchers that had been prepared to fire at Israeli troops and territory.

The military also reported clashes during the operation. At around 11 a.m., troops from the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit encountered Hezbollah fighters, who opened fire and moderately wounded two Israeli soldiers. The troops returned fire, and the Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah positions in the area, including buildings used by the group and anti-tank missile launch sites. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to a hospital, and their families were notified.

In a separate development, the Israeli military said Hezbollah fired an anti-tank guided missile at Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon overnight. No injuries were reported, according to the army.

Israeli troops responded by striking the launch site, while the Israeli Air Force carried out additional attacks on what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure in the area where the operatives had been active.

The military also said that troops from the 7th Armored Brigade had killed at least 10 Hezbollah fighters in their area of operations over the past two days. In addition, soldiers from the elite Multi-Domain Unit destroyed a prepared rocket launcher and a weapons storage site during recent operations, it added.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said the toll from the Israeli offensive since March 2 has reached 2,696 people killed and 8,264 wounded.