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Israel confirmed it has launched a ground offensive against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
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The IDF said on Tuesday that it had begun “limited, localized and targeted ground attacks” a few hours ago.
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This move opens a new front between the Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
The Israeli army said on Tuesday it has launched a “limited” ground offensive against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
The operation officially opens a new front in the escalating conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, which has carried out cross-border attacks almost daily for almost a year.
“In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, the IDF a few hours ago initiated limited, localized and targeted ground attacks based on accurate intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” the Israeli military said earlier in a statement. declaration. Tuesday morning local time.
“These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” it added.
The Israeli military said it is supporting ground forces in Lebanon with airstrikes and artillery on Hezbollah targets. It said Operation ‘Northern Arrows’ would continue in parallel with the devastating war against Hamas in Gaza.
Fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border over the past year. However, Israel has sharply increased military pressure on its enemy in the past two weeks, with the aim of eventually returning Israelis to their homes.
These efforts began with Israel’s advanced pager attacks and have evolved into a campaign of intense and deadly airstrikes, including one that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.
Israeli officials hinted Monday that a ground invasion was imminent. Yoav Gallant, the country’s defense minister, told troops at the border that “the elimination of Nasrallah is a very important step, but not the last step.”
‘Our goal is to ensure that the [safe] return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to accomplish this mission,” Gallant said. “We will use whatever means may be necessary: your forces, other forces, air, sea and land.”
Israel has invaded Lebanon several times, most recently during a brief but devastating war with Hezbollah in 2006. Officials have warned that a full-scale conflict between the two enemies now could be extremely deadly for people on both sides of the border.
Tuesday’s ground operation likely raises the risk that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could expand, potentially involving the US and Iran.
The Pentagon already has a wide range of naval, air and land assets in the Middle East to defend its forces and protect Israel, but it announced Monday that more troops are on the way.
US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
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