ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
Updated:

An IDF officer was severely injured, and six soldiers sustained moderate wounds in the early hours of Saturday as a result of rocket fire targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, the military said.

All of the injured were evacuated to hospitals for medical treatment, and their families have been notified.

In a separate incident on Friday, an IDF officer was severely wounded, and another officer moderately injured after an anti-tank missile fire struck troops operating in southern Lebanon, according to the IDF.

The incidents come amid continued Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, where troops have faced repeated attacks, including anti-tank fire and rocket barrages.

On Thursday, the IDF announced that two soldiers had been killed in Lebanon in recent days, identifying them as Sgt. Aviad Elchanan Volansky, 21, and St.-Sgt. Ori Greenberg, 21.

An Israeli soldier sits on a military vehicle near the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in northern Israel, March 24, 2026.
An Israeli soldier sits on a military vehicle near the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in northern Israel, March 24, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/TYRONE SIU)

IDF intensifies operations in southern Lebanon

IDF spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin said in a video statement released on Friday that Israel will take the necessary steps to disarm Hezbollah. Defrin criticized the Lebanese government for failing to take sufficient action, noting that “contrary to the declaration by the Lebanese government earlier this year, Hezbollah is still operating and conducting attacks from southern Lebanon.”

Earlier this week, Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River to create a "defensive buffer," spelling out for the first time Israel's intent to seize territory amounting to nearly a tenth of Lebanon.

At a meeting with the military chief of staff, Katz said Israeli forces would "control the remaining bridges and the security zone up to the Litani," a river that meets the Mediterranean about 30 km (20 miles) north of Israel's border.

Hezbollah, in turn, has vowed to resist Israeli actions in southern Lebanon, saying it would fight to prevent Israeli troops from occupying the region and calling such a move an "existential threat" to the Lebanese state.

Reuters contributed to this report.