Israel’s military ground operation in southern Lebanon has been expanded, the country’s defense minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday. Katz did not clarify when the decision to expand operations was taken and did not offer any details on what the expansion entails.

The World Bank said on Thursday the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has caused $8.5 billion in damage and losses to Lebanon, with final figures expected to be significantly higher as the conflict continues.

At least eight people were killed and 14 others wounded when an Israeli strike hit an apartment in the area of Akkar in northern Lebanon on Monday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. The airstrike hit an apartment in the village of Ain Yaqoub in Akkar,