Israel launches ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon (MNTV) — The Israeli military said Monday it has begun what it described as “limited and targeted” ground operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, marking a further escalation in the ongoing conflict that has already displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops from its 91st Division had entered areas in southern Lebanon to strike what it called Hezbollah strongholds and to reinforce what it described as a forward defensive zone along the border.

Israeli forces reportedly carried out artillery shelling and airstrikes before sending ground units into the targeted locations.

Military officials said the operations are intended to dismantle what Israel calls militant infrastructure and eliminate fighters believed to be operating near the border, claiming the move is necessary to protect communities in northern Israel.

However, the announcement echoes similar military justifications used during previous offensives, including the 2024 war with Hezbollah and Israel’s earlier ground campaign in Gaza following the October 7 attacks.

Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said Hezbollah has intensified its military activities in southern Lebanon, including launching large numbers of rockets toward Israel and deploying fighters from the group’s elite Radwan unit.

According to Shoshani, Israeli troops are entering locations where they believe Hezbollah forces are operating and will continue operations “as long as necessary.”

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters have targeted Israeli troop positions along the border and reported direct clashes in the Lebanese town of Khiam, located across from the Israeli town of Metula.

The town has become a key flashpoint since Israeli forces advanced into the area after the latest phase of the conflict began.

Before launching the ground operations, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on bridges and major roads linking southern Lebanon with other parts of the country, a move observers say further restricts civilian movement and humanitarian access.

Since the conflict intensified earlier this month, Israel has issued evacuation warnings across large parts of southern Lebanon, covering areas extending more than 40 kilometers from the border.

Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed at least 850 people and forced more than 830,000 residents to flee their homes.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said displaced Lebanese civilians would not be allowed to return to areas south of the Litani River until Israel determines that northern Israeli communities are secure.

At the same time, Israeli officials said there were no plans to evacuate residents from northern Israel, unlike during the 2024 war when tens of thousands were relocated until a ceasefire was reached.

Despite that ceasefire agreement, Israel has continued near-daily airstrikes on targets inside Lebanon.

In response, Hezbollah and its ally Iran have carried out coordinated missile and rocket attacks against Israel in recent days.

Israeli officials said there are currently no plans for direct negotiations with Lebanon to end the fighting, which has now entered its second week.