Israel commenced limited ground operations within Lebanese territory along the border on Monday night.
"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. "These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel. The IDF is operating according to a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command which IDF soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months. The Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area. These operations were approved and carried out in accordance with the decision of the political echelon. Operation 'Northern Arrows' will continue according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and in other arenas. 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 offensive comes just days after Israel took out Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah as part of its effort to remove the threat posed by the Shiite terrorist organization on the north after almost a year of constant rocket fire on some 1 million residents.
Simultaneously, Arab media outlets have reported a series of airstrikes targeting more than five towns in southern Lebanon. Foreign sources indicate that the IDF has urged residents of southern Lebanese villages near the border to evacuate. The IDF's Arabic spokesperson also issued an urgent warning to residents of southern Dahiyah suburb in Beirut, anticipating strikes against Hezbollah targets, with residents already reporting attacks a short while later.
Reuters news agency, citing local residents and a security source, reported that the Lebanese army has pulled back from several positions along the southern border. The withdrawal extended approximately 3 miles from the Lebanon-Israel border, coinciding with reports of Israeli shelling in southern Lebanese villages. Al-Manar, a channel with ties to Hezbollah, reported attacks and shelling in over 20 villages across southern Lebanon in recent hours. Saudi Arabia's Al-Hadath channel reported the sounds of aircraft and tanks in a southern Lebanese village close to the Israeli border.
Concurrently, Lebanon's Al-Jadeed channel stated that Israeli forces have not yet approached the Blue Line, the official boreer. Lebanese media outlets have refuted claims of Israeli attempts to advance beyond the border, asserting that the border remains intact. Al-Jadeed channel reported that the Lebanese army's withdrawal was executed at the request of UNIFIL forces, citing the possibility of an Israeli ground offensive. The evacuation of positions reportedly took place in the early evening hours. Al-Hadath channel reported on "Israeli preparations for the deployment of ground and commando forces to identify and neutralize Hezbollah targets."In an interview with Al-Mayadeen, Mahmoud Qmati, a member of Hezbollah's political council, warned that if the campaign escalates, "our allies will intervene." Meanwhile, Lebanon's MTV reported Israeli tank and artillery fire targeting the villages of Al-Khiam, Kafr Kila, and Al-Wazzani in southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border.
Al-Mayadeen channel noted that the artillery barrage in these areas has persisted for two hours The IDF and Israel's defense establishment are gearing up for a potential ground maneuver in Lebanon. Northern Command Chief, Major General Uri Gordin, has approved plans for the coming days, while Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi have been designated as closed military zones. The Security Cabinet convened to grant final approvals for continued operations in Lebanon.
Senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Amir Baram, have alluded to the imminent ground operation. Gallant stated, "The next phase in the war against Hezbollah will commence shortly - it will significantly alter the security landscape and facilitate the crucial task of returning residents to their homes."Major General Baram added: "Last Friday, in a sophisticated operation involving the Intelligence Division and the Air Force, which combined strategic audacity and impressive aerial coordination, we held accountable the arch-murderer who led the regional axis working to destroy Israel - Hassan Nasrallah."
The Washington Post reports that Israel has informed the United States of the potential for an imminent ground operation, though the scope is expected to be more limited compared to the 2006 Second Lebanon War.Knesset member and Security Cabinet member, Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri, shared a prayer for the safety of soldiers on his X page.
