Israeli forces engaged in intense clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (October 1st). Prior to the clashes, Israeli paratroopers and assault teams carried out a raid in the region, marking the beginning of Israel’s ground offensive against Lebanon.
The Israeli military stated that the military operation in Lebanon began on Monday night, involving elite forces from the 98th Division. The division had been stationed in northern frontlines after months of combat with Hamas in Gaza.
Israel indicated that its air force and artillery supported ground forces in carrying out “limited, targeted, and specific ground incursions” aimed at Hezbollah in southern Lebanese villages posing a direct threat to northern Israeli communities.
The duration of the operation remains unclear, but the military has stated that soldiers have been training and preparing for this mission over the past few months. Israel has vowed to continue striking the organization until displaced Israeli residents of border communities can safely return home.
Israeli military issued warnings to civilians, advising them not to move between areas north of the Litani River and its south. Israel has expressed its intention to clear Hezbollah south of the Litani River.
The military emphasized that the ground incursions target Hezbollah strongholds posing threats to Israel and not a war against the people of Lebanon.
A military spokesperson said, “Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanese villages close to Israeli villages into military bases preparing to attack Israel.”
Local sources reported that residents in southern Lebanon fled as Israeli airstrikes drew closer on Monday and Tuesday.
Hezbollah stated on Tuesday that it launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli forces within Israeli territories but did not mention Israeli forces in Lebanon.
Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based military and political group designated as a terrorist organization by Western countries, suffered a series of actions targeting its leaders by Israel last week, including the assassination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah, dealing a severe blow to the organization.
Subsequently, Israel has prepared for a comprehensive offensive in Lebanon with the aim of facilitating the safe return of thousands of Israelis displaced by Hezbollah rockets to settlements near the northern border.
Recent airstrikes consecutively targeted senior Hezbollah figures, indicating deep penetration by Israeli intelligence agencies into the organization’s top ranks.
Hezbollah vowed on Monday to continue the fight, with the group’s deputy leader stating in a televised address that Hezbollah is prepared for ground operations. He also mentioned that replacements have been appointed for the slain commanders in recent weeks.
Lebanon announced in a statement on Tuesday that the Lebanese army had withdrawn from border positions as part of routine redeployment of some monitoring points in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese armed forces historically refrained from engaging Israeli forces in significant confrontations and have not fired on Israeli troops in the past year.
However, from Hezbollah to Houthi rebels in Yemen and armed groups in Iraq, attacks against Israel have raised concerns about the conflict spreading across the entire Middle East.
Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for drone strikes on Israeli military bases in Tel Aviv and Eilat on Tuesday.
The US National Security Council stated on Monday that Israel’s “limited action” in demolishing Hezbollah infrastructure on the border aligns with the country’s right to self-defense.
However, the National Security Council warned that the escalation of this action carries risks, emphasizing diplomatic solutions as the only pathway to achieving lasting stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of the necessity of a ground offensive in Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah weapons and other means used for cross-border attacks.
Austin affirmed US support for Israel’s right to self-defense, stating, “We collectively believe it is necessary to dismantle (Hezbollah’s) attack infrastructure on the border.”
UK Prime Minister Georgia Meloni stated on Tuesday that “regional de-escalation is urgent and necessary,” with a focus on protecting civilians and ensuring the safety of Italian peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon.
Meloni mentioned that Italy, as the current rotating Chair of the G7, is collaborating with allies to stabilize the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border and assist those displaced by the conflict in returning home.
Several European countries began evacuating diplomats and citizens from Lebanon on Monday. Germany dispatched a military plane to assist in evacuating diplomats’ relatives and others. Bulgaria sent a government aircraft to evacuate the first group of citizens.
Israel also launched attacks on targets in Damascus, Syria, and Beirut, Lebanon.
Syrian state media reported on Tuesday, citing military sources, that three civilians were killed and nine injured in Israeli airstrikes on the capital, Damascus. The Israeli military did not comment on reports from foreign media.
Israel has long targeted Iran-related objectives in Syria, but the frequency of airstrikes has notably increased since Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
On Monday night, Israel conducted airstrikes in the southern outskirts of Beirut. Israeli forces identified Hezbollah infrastructure in the area and warned nearby residents to evacuate.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported earlier on Tuesday that at least 95 people had been killed and 172 injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beirut, within the past 24 hours.
Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by Western nations last October, launched an attack on Israel. According to Israeli statistics, the attack resulted in 1,200 deaths and around 250 individuals taken hostage, with some still missing. In response, Israel initiated a large-scale assault on Hamas in Gaza.
(This article references reports from Reuters and Associated Press)