Israel has launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, describing the operation as focused on “limited incursions” to target Hezbollah militants. The military indicated that the aim of these operations is to neutralize immediate threats posed by Hezbollah to northern Israeli communities, especially following an airstrike last week that resulted in the death of prominent Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
This military action has been approved by Israeli political and security leaders and entails raids by Israeli commandos against key Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon’s villages. The ground forces are being supported by the Israeli air force and artillery.
The Israeli military has restricted access to three towns near the Lebanon border, displacing approximately 63,000 Israelis due to rocket fire from Hezbollah. The United Nations reports that nearly 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced as a consequence of Israeli airstrikes.
An unnamed Israeli security official revealed that troops are targeting Hezbollah military compounds situated close to the border, with operations exclusively in the bordering areas. The official clarified that a ground incursion into Beirut is not anticipated.
In recent statements, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Kassem, asserted that the group is prepared for ground combat, despite suffering heavy losses to Israeli military operations in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has retreated from various checkpoints at the southern border as Israeli forces intensified their artillery bombardments. A Lebanese army official described this action as a “redeployment” to safer positions away from the front lines.
The escalating conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 1,000 people reported killed in airstrikes across Lebanon in just under two weeks, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Although many of these targeted Hezbollah, civilians have also been among the fatalities.
The exchanges of attacks between Israel and Hezbollah intensified following the October 7 assault on Israel by Hamas. In solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah has vowed to continue launching rockets into northern Israel until there is a cease-fire in Gaza.
In southern Lebanon, an evacuation order was issued for residents of several villages, urging them to move north of the Awali River. Many have sought refuge in the homes of those in the Bekaa Valley. One local resident, Wisam Tarif, shared how his home has become a shelter for displaced families from the south, and the sense of community and shared resources continues amid the ongoing conflict.
Despite the shared living space, there are underlying tensions, particularly concerning the perception that Hezbollah is endangering civilians by storing weapons in populated areas.
For those living near the Israel-Lebanon border, life has been dominated by the sound of sirens and incoming rocket fire. The recent violence has resulted in significant unease, as residents express concerns about possible ground offensives and their brutal nature. Some locals, while acknowledging the high civilian toll, believe that a decisive military action may be necessary.
The situation has drawn attention from the United States, which supports Israel’s actions but has cautioned against an expanding military mission. U.S. officials are monitoring the conflict closely and have indicated plans to bolster military presence in the Middle East. The U.S. has voiced its support for Israel’s objective to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure to prevent future threats but emphasizes the need for a return to diplomatic solutions as tensions rise in the region. Discussions regarding a cease-fire in Gaza remain stalled.