Israeli special forces have been carrying out small, targeted raids into southern Lebanon, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal, just days after Israel carried out the dramatic elimination of Hezbollah's secretary general Hassan Nasrallah. These operations, aimed at gathering intelligence and probing Hezbollah's defenses, come amid speculation of a possible ground incursion that could occur as early as this week.
The raids, which have included entering Hezbollah's tunnels along the border, have taken place recently as well as over past months. They are part of a broader Israeli effort to degrade Hezbollah's capabilities along the Israel-Lebanon border, the sources told The Wall Street Journal.
While the timing of any potential ground action remains fluid, Israel faces significant pressure from the United States to refrain from launching a major invasion. The scale and duration of any incursion remain unclear, with sources suggesting it could range from a series of larger raids to a more sustained presence in Lebanese territory.
US officials have repeatedly cautioned Israel against actions that could broaden the conflict. The pressure from Washington underscores the delicate balance Israel must strike between addressing perceived security threats and avoiding a wider regional conflagration.
