Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, marking the first clear indication of Israel's intent to seize territory amounting to nearly a 10th of Lebanon, Reuters reported on March 24. Meanwhile, Lebanon's foreign ministry withdrew the Iranian ambassador's accreditation, citing him as persona non grata, as tensions rose between Iran and Lebanon due to Hezbollah's entry into the war with Israel.

Israel has been conducting limited ground incursions into southern Lebanon to deepen its foothold, but has yet to make significant progress on all sides as Hezbollah continues to battle the Israeli military in the frontline villages. Israel's military has steadily been shifting its focus back toward Lebanon after striking its initial target set in Iran, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.