Israel launched ground operations in southern Lebanon in the early hours of Tuesday morning local time, according to an IDF statement.
This comes as Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Makati says that his country is facing “one of the most dangerous phases” in its history, with over one million people displaced across Lebanon since broader Israeli air strikes began last month.
The IDF began “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, the statement reads, after receiving the green light from the security cabinet on Monday evening.
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
Reuters reports a Lebanese security source as saying that Israeli troops had crossed the border into Lebanon overnight for reconnaissance, the source adding that Lebanese army troops had pulled back from its positions along the border.
This latest phase in the conflict comes just days after Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as well as a top Iranian general, in an airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
Since the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas in southern Israel last year, the Israeli military and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire near-daily across the Israel-Lebanon border, which has seen hundreds of Hezbollah fighters killed as well as dozens in Israel, while tens of thousands have been displaced for almost a year on the Israeli side of the border.
Israel’s targets in the ground operation “are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” according to the IDF statement, which added that the Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces.
The IDF operation, dubbed ‘Northern Arrows’, will continue “according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and in other arenas,” the statement continued.
The US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant Monday, which saw them in agreement on the “necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hizballah cannot conduct October 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities”, according to Austin.
“I reaffirmed that a diplomatic resolution is required to ensure that civilians can return safely to their homes on both sides of the border,” the US Defence Secretary stated, reiterating “the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel”.
I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss security developments and Israeli operations. I made it clear that the United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself. We agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 1, 2024
The Biden Administration was concerned that Israel was preparing for a major ground invasion of southern Lebanon, according to reporting from Axios, but was reassured by the Israelis that the plan is more “narrowly focused”.
Prior to the launching of the ground operations, President Biden said Monday in response to a question about a potential invasion that he’s “comfortable with [Israel] stopping,” adding that “we should have a ceasefire now”.
Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s actions as a “violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon” and “an illegal invasion attempt,” adding that Israel must end its operations and withdraw from Lebanese territory.
“This attack targets the security and stability of the region and beyond. This dangerous invasion attempt is likely to spark a new wave of migration and to give ground to extremists all around the world. These developments will also affect the countries that provide political support and arms to Israel,” Turkey’s foreign ministry said, adding “the UN Security Council must uphold international law and take the necessary measures against this attack that aims the occupation of Lebanon”.
Regarding the Ground Attack on Lebanon by Israel https://t.co/zSBxiy7wa3 pic.twitter.com/pSpiqNh9Gc
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) October 1, 2024