The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the beginning of a ground offensive into Lebanon to battle Hezbollah after nearly a year of worsening cross-border violence linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
"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," the IDF said in a statement Monday. "These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."
The IDF said it was operating according to a "methodical plan" by the General Staff and the Northern Command, and that troops had been trained for months. The operation was said to be supported by IDF air and artillery strikes.
"The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes," the IDF said.
The offensive comes just days after massive Israeli airstrikes killed longtime Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiye, sparking another major blow to the Iran-aligned group that has fired rockets, missiles and drones against Israel since the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a massive surprise attack against Israel from Gaza.
Hezbollah, for its part, has continued to claim new strikes against northern Israel. Throughout Monday, the group announced at least a dozen separate operations "in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, and in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli invasion of cities, villages and civilians."
Also on Monday, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem gave his first speech since Nasrallah's death, asserted that Israel has not been able to compromise the group's core military capabilities. He recalled the experience of the last war fought between the two sides in July 2006, a month-long conflict that ended with a U.N.-backed truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
"We will confront any possibility, and we are ready if the Israelis decide to enter by land," Qassem said. "The resistance forces are ready for a ground engagement. We have prepared and are ready, and, with trust in God, we are confident that the Israeli enemy will not achieves its goals, and we will emerge victorious."
Both Israel and Hezbollah have long accused one another of violating the terms of the U.N. resolution that put an end to their last war. Intensified clashes over the past year have forced more than 67,000 Israelis from their homes in northern communities, according to Israeli officials, while more than 1 million have been displaced in Lebanon as a result of Israeli strikes across Lebanon and the threat of invasion, according to the World Health Organization.
This is a developing story and will be updated with additional information.
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