The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on May 26 expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon beyond the Israeli-occupied Yellow Line, Haaretz reported. The move comes one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to expand and intensify operations against the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Lebanon is preparing to send a delegation to Washington for direct security and political talks with Israel on May 29. Israel and Hezbollah have continued exchanging fire despite the U.S.-brokered April 16 truce. Iran has explicitly demanded a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon in its ongoing talks with the United States.