Key Highlights
- The Israeli military said the operation was limited and localized
- Syrian state media said air defenses were intercepting “hostile” targets in the Damascus area
- Flares and shelling reported in Lebanese border towns
Israel launched a ground operation into southern Lebanon early Tuesday, marking an escalation in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The Israeli military stated that the operation, focused on areas near the Lebanese border, was “limited and localized,” supported by air force and artillery units targeting Hezbollah positions that pose immediate threats to Israeli communities in northern Israel.
While Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border exchanges for months, this latest ground offensive marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
Israeli Ground Operations
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its ground forces, including paratroopers and commandos, had crossed into southern Lebanon. The IDF emphasized that the operation is being carried out with precision, aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah positions.
“The operation is a strategic move to secure the return of displaced Israeli citizens to their homes in northern settlements,” said an Israeli military spokesperson, reiterating that it is not intended as a large-scale invasion but as a series of targeted strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure.
Escalation Risks and Regional Impact
As Israel’s military continues its ground operations, fears are growing that the conflict could spiral into a full-scale regional war. The conflict is no longer limited to just Israel and Hezbollah but has the potential to involve multiple state and non-state actors across the region.
The Israeli airstrikes that have targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon have also hit Iranian-backed groups in Syria, further escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Iran, Hezbollah’s primary backer, has repeatedly warned that it will not stand by as its allies in the region are attacked. With the death toll rising on both sides and no clear path to a ceasefire, the prospect of a protracted conflict looms large. International efforts to mediate the crisis are ongoing, but the ground invasion signals that Israel is intent on pressing forward in its campaign against Hezbollah, even as calls for a ceasefire grow louder.
Impact on Civilians
Civilians have borne the brunt of the escalating violence. On Monday, 95 Lebanese civilians were reported killed in Israeli strikes across the country, according to Lebanese authorities. In the southern Lebanese town of Aita al-Shaab, residents described heavy shelling and intense military activity in the skies.
Israel has also targeted Beirut, specifically the city’s southern suburbs, which are considered Hezbollah strongholds. The strikes have forced many residents to flee, with some seeking refuge outdoors or in temporary shelters. In Sidon, a strike on Monday targeted Mounir Maqdah, a senior leader in the Palestinian Fatah movement. The strike hit a building in the Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp, and Maqdah’s fate remains unknown.
The violence has displaced large portions of the Lebanese population, with the government reporting that approximately one million people have fled their homes since the conflict began.
Hezbollah’s Response
Hezbollah, in retaliation, has launched rocket attacks on northern Israeli towns. The group’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, gave a public address on Monday, vowing that Hezbollah fighters were prepared to engage in a prolonged ground war with Israel. This was Qassem’s first public appearance since the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s long-time leader, in an Israeli airstrike last week.
“We are ready for any Israeli ground incursion, and we will not let them achieve their goals,” Qassem declared, as Hezbollah continued to fire rockets deep into Israeli territory. He also confirmed that the group was firing rockets up to 150 kilometers into Israel.
Diplomatic Efforts and International Responses
Western diplomats have been working behind the scenes to prevent the conflict from further spiraling out of control. Israel reportedly informed its key allies, including the United States, of its plans to launch the ground operation in southern Lebanon. The United States has publicly backed Israel’s right to defend itself but has expressed concerns about the rising civilian casualties.
Earlier on Monday, the U.S. State Department acknowledged that Israel had briefed the U.S. on its operation, describing the ground raids as “limited, localized, and targeted” actions focused on Hezbollah’s infrastructure near the border.
However, U.S. President Joe Biden called for a ceasefire, urging both sides to de-escalate the situation. Biden’s calls for restraint came as international concerns grow over the potential for a broader conflict involving Iran. Tehran has voiced strong opposition to Israel’s actions, vowing that it would not leave any Israeli “criminal acts” unanswered. Russia, which has significant influence in the region, warned that the killing of Nasrallah had further destabilized the situation. Meanwhile, Britain and Canada have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon and have started evacuation operations amidst fears of a wider escalation.
Ground Assault and Hezbollah’s Leadership
The recent assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is seen as a significant blow to the group. Nasrallah had built Hezbollah into Lebanon’s most powerful military and political force over the past few decades, commanding deep loyalty from millions of supporters across the Middle East. His death in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut last week has left a vacuum in Hezbollah’s leadership, raising questions about the group’s future direction.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Qassem, said the group would appoint a new secretary-general in the coming days and that its leadership structure would be filled. He also emphasized that the organization remains unified and ready to continue its resistance against Israel.
Conclusion
As fighting continues in southern Lebanon and Israeli airstrikes pound Hezbollah strongholds, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Both sides remain entrenched, with Hezbollah vowing to resist any Israeli incursion and Israel committed to eliminating the group’s military capabilities. With international efforts for de-escalation struggling to gain traction, the region faces the possibility of a prolonged and bloody conflict.
