Israeli Military Launches Limited Ground Offensive Against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon
TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli military has initiated a “limited, localized” ground offensive in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.
In a statement on social media late Monday, the Israeli military indicated that the operation focuses on specific targets in villages near the border that pose an “immediate threat” to communities in northern Israel. The military’s ground forces are being supported by the Israeli air force and artillery, conducting precise strikes on military targets in the region.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Kassem, stated in a televised address earlier that “the resistance forces are ready for a ground engagement,” despite suffering significant losses from recent Israeli assaults on their leadership and operatives.
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The Lebanese army has reportedly withdrawn from certain checkpoints along the southern border amid heavy artillery bombardment by Israeli forces. A Lebanese army official, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on public commentary, described this as a “redeployment” from vulnerable positions.
An unnamed official from the region indicated that Israel had already conducted brief intelligence-gathering raids in southern Lebanon as part of preparations for the limited offensive, suggesting that “everything is on the table” regarding the upcoming ground incursion.
This military action follows days of escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon claiming over 1,000 lives in less than two weeks and displacing many residents, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. While the strikes have targeted Hezbollah and its arsenal, they have also resulted in significant civilian casualties.
Following the October 7 assault on Israel by Hamas, attacks have intensified across the Israel-Lebanon border. In support of Hamas, Hezbollah has vowed to continue firing rockets into northern Israel until there is a cease-fire in Israel’s military operations in Gaza. In response, Israel has stated that it will persist in targeting Hezbollah until residents in northern Israel can safely return home after fleeing the violence.
Tamir Hayman, a former head of Israel’s military intelligence, remarked on Israeli Army Radio that the airstrikes have disrupted Hezbollah’s operations but raised questions about the objective of a potential ground invasion. He pondered whether the aim was to establish a long-term security buffer zone, which could face international opposition, or to temporarily dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is deploying additional forces to the region, with a senior official stating that the Pentagon plans to send “a few thousand” more troops, focusing on enhancing air defense capabilities. The U.S. is wary of potential retaliatory actions from Iran and Iranian-aligned militias, which could pose threats to U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria.
