Israeli forces launch ground operation in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah
Smoke rises fromafter Israeli warplanes target the Dahieh district, located south of the capital Beirut, with a series of airstrikes on October 01, 2024. (AA Photo)
The Israeli military announced early Tuesday that its troops had crossed into southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah military infrastructure in villages close to the Israel-Lebanon border.
In a statement released just before 2 a.m. local time, the Israeli military described the action as a “limited” operation, saying that troops had entered Lebanon “a few hours ago” to neutralize sites posing an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.
The ground operation follows a series of intensive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, which have reportedly resulted in hundreds of casualties, including at least 95 on Monday alone, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The escalation comes amid a wider conflict that ignited on Oct. 7, when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel, prompting Hezbollah to fire at Israeli positions in support of Hamas.
Three Israeli officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the incursion would target a narrow strip of land along the northern border. This force is primarily composed of small commando units, supported by air cover and artillery strikes from within Israel. While the current operation is defined as limited, the buildup of thousands of additional troops in northern Israel has raised concerns about the potential for a larger invasion.
The invasion plan was sanctioned during a late-night cabinet meeting, occurring shortly after the declaration of a closed military zone in three heavily damaged villages at the northern tip of Israel, which have endured prolonged shelling and rocket fire from Lebanon.
Earlier in the day, observers reported seeing a convoy of military Humvees transporting troops equipped for combat, as explosions echoed near the border. The operation comes on the heels of smaller reconnaissance missions conducted by Israeli commandos, which were preparatory in nature.
Israel’s stated objective in this military action is to create a safer environment in northern Israel, allowing for the return of displaced residents who have been unable to return home due to the persistent threat of rocket fire. Concurrently, the conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians, with over a thousand casualties reported among both combatants and civilians due to Israeli airstrikes.
