US-Iran War — 2026-03-27

Israel Expands Ground Operation in Southern Lebanon; Combat Zone Widens as Hezbollah Escalates Attacks

Israel sent additional troops from Division 162 into southern Lebanon to expand its buffer zone south of the Litani River, drawing condemnation from Beirut. The IDF reported Hezbollah launched 600 rockets, missiles, and drones in a 24-hour period, up from its previous daily average of 100. Lebanon's government called the operation an invasion, warning the buffer zone could become a long-term territorial grab. The UN reports over 1 million internally displaced and more than 1,000 dead in three weeks of fighting. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem vowed the group would continue fighting without limits.

Analysis
Division 162's deployment to expand the buffer zone mirrors the 2006 post-war UNIFIL arrangement, but without the ceasefire that made it tenable. The 6x increase in Hezbollah's daily launch rate (from 100 to 600 in 24 hours) suggests the group is deliberately demonstrating escalation capacity during the G7 meeting to strengthen Iran's negotiating position.

2 sources

Combat zone widens in Lebanon as Israel and Hezbollah escalate attacks - Defense News
This is an invasion: Lebanon sounds alarm over Israeli operations - Euronews