The Israeli military has begun "targeted ground raids" in southern Lebanon, backed by airstrikes and artillery, focusing on Hezbollah positions near the border.
These limited operations, announced on Tuesday, come amid escalating tensions with the Iranian-backed militant group. The raids were approved by Israeli political leaders as part of an ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, which has increased attacks following Israel’s war on Gaza last October.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed the situation on Monday, emphasizing the need to dismantle Hezbollah’s attack infrastructure along the border. They stressed the importance of preventing further strikes on Israeli communities and enabling civilians on both sides to return safely to their homes. Airstrikes were heard in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, shortly after the raids began.
Hezbollah has vowed to resist the Israeli offensive despite suffering leadership losses. In his first public address since the assassination of leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem declared the group is prepared for a long conflict and ready to confront any Israeli ground incursions. While Israel has intensified attacks on Hezbollah commanders, the group continues to fire rockets into Israeli territory.
The escalating conflict has forced over 100,000 people to flee from Lebanon to Syria, with tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the border. Lebanon’s acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed the government’s willingness to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament in southern Lebanon, in a bid to halt the fighting with Israel.
These limited operations, announced on Tuesday, come amid escalating tensions with the Iranian-backed militant group. The raids were approved by Israeli political leaders as part of an ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, which has increased attacks following Israel’s war on Gaza last October.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed the situation on Monday, emphasizing the need to dismantle Hezbollah’s attack infrastructure along the border. They stressed the importance of preventing further strikes on Israeli communities and enabling civilians on both sides to return safely to their homes. Airstrikes were heard in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, shortly after the raids began.
Hezbollah has vowed to resist the Israeli offensive despite suffering leadership losses. In his first public address since the assassination of leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem declared the group is prepared for a long conflict and ready to confront any Israeli ground incursions. While Israel has intensified attacks on Hezbollah commanders, the group continues to fire rockets into Israeli territory.
The escalating conflict has forced over 100,000 people to flee from Lebanon to Syria, with tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the border. Lebanon’s acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed the government’s willingness to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament in southern Lebanon, in a bid to halt the fighting with Israel.
