Israeli Military Initiates Targeted Ground Operations
Israel's military has announced the commencement of "limited and targeted ground operations" against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group, in southern Lebanon. These operations have focused on "key Hezbollah strongholds" over recent days, aiming to enhance the defense of Israeli border communities.
Israeli fighter jets continue to conduct airstrikes on towns and villages across southern Lebanon. State media reported that seven people, including two paramedics, were killed on Monday as a result of these strikes.
Within Israel, sirens sounded in response to missile and rocket fire from Hezbollah, although no casualties have been reported.
Background of the Conflict
Lebanon became involved in the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran two weeks ago when Hezbollah launched rockets and drones into Israel. This was in retaliation for the assassination of Iran's supreme leader and repeated Israeli strikes following a ceasefire that ended their last war in 2024.
Israel has stated that Hezbollah's attacks justified initiating a new offensive aimed at disarming the group.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in at least 850 deaths, including 107 children, and have displaced approximately 830,000 people.
The Israeli military has reported two soldier fatalities in southern Lebanon.
Details of the Ground Operations
On Monday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement confirming that troops from its 91st Division had begun operations in Lebanon.
"This activity is part of broader defensive efforts to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture, which includes the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel," the statement said.
IDF spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani described Hezbollah as a Shia Islamist political and military group designated as a terrorist organization by countries including the UK and the US. He noted that Hezbollah intends to expand its operations in southern Lebanon by deploying hundreds of fighters from its elite Radwan Force and launching hundreds of rockets daily.
Israeli media reported that three Israeli divisions, comprising thousands of troops, are currently operating in southern Lebanon, with two additional divisions expected to join in the coming days.
The ground operations represent a significant challenge to Lebanese sovereignty and raise concerns about a prolonged Israeli occupation.
Territorial Objectives and Evacuations
On Saturday, the US news site Axios reported that Israel aims to seize the entire area south of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border.
On the third day of the conflict, the IDF issued a comprehensive evacuation order for the area south of the Litani River, instructing all residents to leave immediately as it targeted Hezbollah positions and fighters. The evacuation zone was nearly doubled last Thursday, extending north to the Zahrani River, 40 kilometers from the border.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned military commanders on Monday that displaced Lebanese Shia residents would "not return to their homes south of the Litani area until the safety of residents in the north [of Israel] is guaranteed."
Hezbollah's Response and Border Clashes
Hezbollah reported on Monday that its fighters launched missiles and drones at the Israeli border town of Kiryat Shmona.
Overnight, the group stated it shelled an Israeli military position in the Lebanese border town of Aitaroun and fired rockets at Israeli troop gatherings in the border towns of Margaliot and Yuval.
Lebanese media also reported clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops around the Lebanese border towns of Khiam, Aadaysit Marjayoun, and Taybeh on Monday.
The state-run National News Agency (NNA) cited the Lebanese health ministry as reporting that Israeli airstrikes killed four people, including two children, in the town of Qantara, located just west of Taybeh.
Additionally, three people were reportedly killed in two separate strikes in the village of Kfar Sir, north of the Litani River.
NNA detailed that the first strike hit a house, killing one person. When an ambulance from the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Society (IHS) arrived, a second strike occurred, killing two paramedics and wounding another.
Following an attack that killed 12 doctors, paramedics, and nurses at an IHS-run primary healthcare center on Friday night, the Lebanese health ministry accused Israel of violating international law by repeatedly targeting ambulance crews performing their duties.
The Israeli military has alleged that Hezbollah is using ambulances for military purposes, a claim denied by the Lebanese health ministry.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Canada issued a joint statement warning that a significant Israeli ground offensive would have "devastating humanitarian consequences" and must be averted.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appealed for an immediate ceasefire to end "the horrible suffering of the Lebanese people."
Over the weekend, and Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israel and Lebanon were preparing to hold peace talks in the coming days. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed readiness to host the talks in Paris.
Axios reported that France has developed a detailed plan for negotiations on a ceasefire and disarming Hezbollah, which would require the Lebanese government to formally recognize Israel. Israel and the US are reportedly reviewing the proposal.
However, Haaretz cited a source on Monday stating that the talks had been postponed after Israel withdrew from the plan.
Israeli cabinet minister Zeev Elkin told Army Radio that Israel would not compromise on disarming Hezbollah, stating,
"Lebanon has to choose: will it remain hostage to Iranian interests or will it disarm Hezbollah?"
Lebanon's foreign ministry reiterated that the cabinet has banned Hezbollah's military activities and emphasized that "no armed group operating outside the authority of the state" would be permitted to plunge the country into chaos in service of "suspicious agendas."
Hezbollah has refused to fully disarm and has vowed to continue its fight against Israel.
Humanitarian Assistance
In a separate development on Monday, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the mobilization of £5 million ($6.65 million) in emergency funding to assist vulnerable and displaced Lebanese civilians with basic needs, including food and shelter.
