TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli military has launched a “limited, localized” ground offensive in southern Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, according to a statement issued late Monday.
“These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” the Israeli military announced on social media. The offensive is being supported by the Israeli air force and artillery, which are delivering precise strikes on military targets in the area, the military said.
Earlier that day, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Kassem, made a televised statement declaring that “resistance forces are ready for a ground engagement,” despite recent Israeli strikes that have severely impacted Hezbollah leadership and fighters.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army redeployed from some forward positions along the southern border, moving back from checkpoints vulnerable to Israeli shelling. A Lebanese army official described this as a “redeployment” but did not elaborate further due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Israeli Troops in Southern Lebanon
An anonymous Middle Eastern official told NPR that Israel had already conducted brief intelligence raids in southern Lebanon ahead of the planned offensive. The official noted that “everything is on the table” regarding the impending incursion.
The move follows intensified clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed over 1,000 people in Lebanon, including both Hezbollah operatives and civilians, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was also reportedly killed in one of these strikes. The conflict between the two sides escalated following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group. Hezbollah has since launched rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas, vowing to continue until there is a cease-fire in Gaza. Israel has responded with targeted attacks on Hezbollah, seeking to secure the return of residents who fled northern Israel due to cross-border attacks.
When asked about reports of an Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon, U.S. President Joe Biden called for an immediate cease-fire.
Tamir Hayman, former head of Israel’s military intelligence directorate, said in a Monday interview that Israel’s airstrikes in Lebanon had destabilized Hezbollah, but urged careful consideration of the goals behind a ground invasion. “Is it to create a permanent security buffer zone or only a temporary operation to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure?” he questioned.
The Pentagon, concerned about potential retaliation from Iran and Iranian-backed militias, announced plans to deploy additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, focusing on air defense capabilities. U.S. officials are concerned about the safety of American personnel stationed in Iraq and Syria should Iran escalate the conflict in response to Israel’s actions.
Over the weekend, Yemen’s Houthi rebel group launched a ballistic missile targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aircraft as he returned from addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The missile was intercepted by Israeli defense systems before it could reach its target.
In retaliation, Israel conducted airstrikes in Yemen, targeting power plants and a seaport used by the Houthis for military supplies. According to Houthi sources, at least four people were killed, and dozens were injured, with the group claiming that the targets were civilian sites. Israeli security analysts noted that the strikes were a clear message to Iran, demonstrating Israel’s capability for long-range operations and signaling that Iran is also within its reach.