Israeli Ground Forces Enter Southern Lebanon in Escalation Against Hezbollah
In a significant escalation of the conflict, Israeli ground forces crossed into southern Lebanon early Tuesday, intensifying the offensive against Hezbollah militants. This move opens a new front in the yearlong war against its Iranian-backed adversaries.
The Israeli military announced that it was targeting Hezbollah positions near the Israeli border, with air force and artillery units providing support. The operation, which had been planned for months, includes “targeted ground raids” in villages close to the border that are deemed a threat to northern Israeli communities.
While there were no direct clashes reported between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants, the evening brought with it intense artillery fire in southern Lebanon and the sounds of airstrikes echoing through Beirut. Smoke billowed from Hezbollah strongholds in the capital’s southern suburbs, prompting evacuations from certain buildings.
On the previous night, Israel had already conducted small ground raids against Hezbollah and sealed off communities along the northern border. The State Department confirmed that the US had been informed about the limited operations, which were focused on dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure near the border.
Since the conflict in Gaza erupted, both Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in daily exchanges of fire, causing displacement of tens of thousands in Israel and Lebanon. Israel has vowed to continue striking Hezbollah until it is safe for families to return to their homes near the Lebanon border, while Hezbollah has pledged to keep launching rockets into Israel until a cease-fire is reached in Gaza.
As tensions escalate and violence persists, the situation in the region remains volatile, with no clear end in sight to the ongoing conflict. — Euronews
