Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardment intensified across southern Lebanon overnight and into Thursday, as the Israeli military said its ground operations were expanding and warned it would continue targeting infrastructure used by Hezbollah.

The escalation comes as a tense calm hangs over Beirut’s southern suburbs, while violence surged across the south.

At dawn, Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on several towns, including Shaqra and Safad al-Battikh. Additional strikes targeted the Qatrani area and Qantara, while artillery shelling hit the Wadi al-Slouqi.

Earlier, Israeli aircraft struck a residential house in Burj al-Shamali, as intermittent artillery fire targeted the entrances to Shehin, Marwahin and Bint Jbeil.

Overnight, two airstrikes hit areas near homes in Sarira in the Jezzine District, causing structural damage and shattering windows.

The towns of Taybeh and Khiyam endured particularly intense bombardment, with sustained airstrikes and heavy artillery fire continuing into the early hours. At around 2:25 a.m., a powerful explosion shook Khiyam, sending shockwaves through the area. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The escalation has triggered continued displacement, with residents fleeing toward Sidon, Beirut and other perceived safer areas following Israeli warnings of potential strikes on crossings along the Litani River.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Israeli military said more than 20 Hezbollah operatives were killed during ground operations in southern Lebanon a day earlier. According to the military, the fighters were killed by troops from the 36th Division as well as in airstrikes carried out by the Israeli Air Force.

In one incident, soldiers from the Golani Brigade identified a group of Hezbollah fighters attempting to launch anti-tank missiles at Israeli forces. The troops killed five operatives during the encounter, the military said.

The army added that ground forces also located and seized a cache of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles.

The 36th Division is one of four Israeli divisions currently engaged in ground operations in southern Lebanon, part of a broader campaign that has intensified since Hezbollah began attacking Israel in parallel with the war involving Iran.

Israeli officials have indicated that the military is preparing to deploy additional forces to southern Lebanon and expand its buffer zone along the border to push Hezbollah further away.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said forces had struck and destroyed two additional bridges over the Litani River, alleging they were used by Hezbollah to transport weapons southward. He did not specify the locations of the bridges.

“This is a clear message to the Lebanese government — Israel will not allow Hezbollah to use Lebanese state infrastructure,” Katz said.