SOUTHERN LEBANON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel's military will widen its ground campaign in southern Lebanon. "The expansion of the country's security belt in Lebanon is intended to thwart the threat of invasion and to keep the anti-tank missile fire away from our border," Netanyahu said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would establish a security zone in southern Lebanon and take control of key river crossings.

Israel has been carrying out an invasion of southern Lebanon since Iran-backed Hezbollah began attacking Israel. Iran-backed Hezbollah began attacking Israel in response to Israel's war on Iran.

Since March 2, nearly 1,200 people have been killed in Lebanon and more than 3,400 people have been wounded. Nineteen people have been killed in Israel.

In recent weeks, Israel's offensive has blown up bridges in southern Lebanon. In recent weeks, Israel's offensive has destroyed homes in southern Lebanon. In recent weeks, Israel's offensive has led to the displacement of more than 1 million people across southern Lebanon.

Satellite imagery has shown the extent of the devastation in southern Lebanon. Satellite imagery has shown a growing number of Israeli military bases established in southern Lebanon.

Establishing a security zone in southern Lebanon and taking control of key river crossings would displace hundreds of thousands of people indefinitely.

Humanitarian organizations have warned of the destruction of entire residential areas in southern Lebanon. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that "the Gaza model must not be replicated in Lebanon." António Guterres called on both Hezbollah and Israel to halt hostilities.