BEIRUT: Israeli ground forces have intensified their military offensive and pushed deeper into Lebanese territory, launching attacks in southern Lebanon on Tuesday that killed 31 people and injured 40 others.

The escalation was accompanied by dozens of forced displacement orders for towns and villages across the southern and eastern regions of Lebanon, triggering widespread panic as residents fled the oncoming onslaught.

Meanwhile, ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been severely shaken following US attacks on southern Iran on Monday.

Iranian officials have strongly denounced these actions as “blatant violations” of the ceasefire, noting that there is currently “zero trust” remaining.

In response to the situation, a senior spokesman for Iran’s armed forces warned via the semi-official Fars news agency that any resumption of the US-Israel war against Iran would trigger a “much heavier and stronger” retaliation that “will extend beyond regional borders.”

In a separate development amid the heightened tensions, Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref confirmed that the government has taken the “first step” toward restoring full internet access across the country following a weeks-long shutdown.