March 17, 2026 10:25 AM
West Asian tensions rise as Israel expands operations in Lebanon, and missile exchanges grow more intense.
Tensions across West Asia sharply increased on March 16, with Israel confirming an expansion of its ground operations in southern Lebanon while missile exchanges with Hezbollah continued. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said forces had advanced westward toward the Litani River to dismantle infrastructure linked to Hezbollah. Israeli officials stated that they would not permit the return of displaced residents from southern Lebanon until they ensured the security of northern Israel. Th...