The Associated Press has begun describing Israel’s military actions in southern Lebanon as an invasion, citing the scale and scope of the operation. Israeli forces have moved thousands of troops across the border and have been engaged in ground fighting with Iran backed Hezbollah militants for more than three weeks.

Israeli officials say they aim to take control of the area south of the Litani River and have indicated displaced Lebanese residents will not be allowed to return until Israel considers its northern border secure. Lebanon’s government accuses Israel of violating its sovereignty and attempting to occupy its territory, while Israel maintains that its actions are defensive and intended to stop cross border missile fire and push Hezbollah away from the frontier.

In deciding to use the term invasion, the news agency said its journalists weighed factors such as the number of troops deployed, the duration and intensity of fighting, whether land is being seized, and the broader impact of the operation. The agency emphasized that precise language matters when describing military actions between sovereign nations, as terms like war and invasion carry distinct and significant meanings.