Israel encounters ‘intense fighting’ during ground offensive into Lebanon

Israeli army Tuesday reported facing “intense fighting” on its first day of the ground operation in Lebanon.

Israel announced the initiation of a ‘limited, localized and targeted’ ground operation following the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah.

In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. These targets are located in villages…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 30, 2024

The military also warned Lebanese residents to avoid vehicle travel in the region.

“Intense fighting is taking place in southern Lebanon,” wrote Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the Israeli army, in a message published in Arabic on Telegram.

“For your personal safety, we ask you not to travel by vehicles from the north to the south of the Litani River in south Lebanon,” he added.

One of most dangerous phases in history: Lebanese PM

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Tuesday his country was facing “one of the most dangerous phases of its history,” urging the United Nations to provide aid for one million people displaced by Israeli air strikes.

“Around a million of our people have been displaced because of the devastating war that Israel is waging on Lebanon,” the National News Agency quoted Mikati.

“We urgently call for more aid to reinforce our ongoing efforts to provide basic support to displaced civilians,” he added in a meeting with U.N. representatives.