Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Netanyahu claims UN peacekeepers acting as 'human shields' for Hezbollah
U.N. peacekeepers claim IDF tanks breached their base in southern Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces continued intense air and ground campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon and against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The uptick in offensive operations came days after Israel marked the anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 assault and as Israeli leaders planned their response to last week's Iranian ballistic missile attack.
Key Headlines
- 51 killed, 174 injured in Lebanon on Saturday: Lebanese Ministry of Health
- Gallant describes southern Lebanon villages as 'military targets'
- Pentagon will deploy THAAD air defense system to Israel
- UN claims IDF tanks forcefully breached its peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon
- Netanyahu claims UN peacekeepers acting as 'human shields' for Hezbollah
Hezbollah fires rocket salvo at Israel as leader speaks
Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets into northern Israel on Tuesday as the group's Deputy Secretary-General Naim Kassem issued a defiant address vowing to defeat Israel's operations in Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces said 135 projectiles were fired into Israeli territory, some of which were intercepted and some of which landed.
The launches prompted sirens in the city of Haifa and elsewhere in the north of the country.
In his video address, Kassem -- Hezbollah's acting leader -- said more Israelis will displaced in the north of the country as the militant group expands its rocket fire deeper into Israel.
Kassem said Hezbollah's capabilities are still intact despite weeks of heavy Israeli airstrikes. He added that the group has replaced all commanders killed by Israeli attacks.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Joe Simonetti
Israel should attack Iran's nuclear program, ex-PM says
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for a major attack on Iran, saying in a video posted to social media on Tuesday: "The opportunity must not be missed."
Israeli leaders say they are preparing a response to Iran's Oct. 1 ballistic missile barrage.
"Attack the Iranian nuclear program and the regime centers now," urged Bennett, who was prime minister from 2021 to 2022 and remains an influential voice in national politics.
An August poll by Israel's Channel 12 news found 38% of respondents would support Bennett's return as prime minister, versus 33% who wanted Netanyahu to remain in the post. Both men polled better than opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
4th Israeli division joins Lebanon incursion
The Israel Defense Forces announced that a fourth division joined its ground operation in southern Lebanon on Monday.
The 146th Division "began limited, localized, targeted operational activities against Hezbollah terror targets and infrastructure in southwestern Lebanon," the IDF said. The 146th was previously deployed along Israel's northwestern border with Lebanon in a defensive role, it said.
The IDF said the 146th Division is the first reserve division to be deployed into southern Lebanon. Its troops will be supported by the 213th Artillery Brigade and other units, the IDF said.
The 146th joins the 91st Galilee Division, 98th Paratroopers Division and 36th Division which are already in action in southern Lebanon.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
IDF says they hit at least 120 targets in southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces said they struck more than 120 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Monday within an hour.
The airstrikes followed evacuation orders earlier Monday.
Over the past 48 hours, 190 airstrikes were recorded throughout Lebanon, primally in the south, according to the Lebanese Security Council. Forty-seven people were killed and another 207 injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.
Approximately 190 projectiles were fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon into Israeli territory on Monday, according to the IDF.