Israel announced on Tuesday that it had begun a ground military operation targeting affiliated sites For Hezbollah In southern Lebanon, a few days after the party's Secretary General was killed Hassan Nasrallah In a devastating strike on the southern suburb of Beirut, one of the party’s strongholds.
Below is what we know so far about the Israeli ground operation.
When did you start?
On Monday night, the Israeli army announced that it had begun launching “limited, localized and specific ground operations targeting Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon” with air and artillery support.
This official announcement came hours after a US official said that Israel informed the United States that it was carrying out limited operations targeting infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah near the border.
The army did not reveal the number of forces participating in this operation, but said that the 98th Division, which includes paratroopers and commando units, is participating in it.
This division was deployed in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army continues its operations against the Islamic Resistance Movement (agitation), nearly a year after the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, with the movement launching an unprecedented attack on Israel.
On Monday evening, the Israeli army announced a “closed military zone” in parts of Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, in the first indication of possible ground operations.
On Tuesday, he informed the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant His American counterpart Lloyd Austin Regarding ground operations.
A statement issued by his office stated that “the minister discussed the targeted and targeted operations launched by” the Israeli army during the night against Hezbollah targets “in the border area of southern Lebanon.”
What are Israel's goals?
The Israeli army explained that it is carrying out its operations based on “accurate intelligence information” targeting sites and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
He added, “These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose a direct threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.”
This ground operation comes after a week of intense Israeli air strikes on Lebanon, and the massive attack Friday on the southern suburb of Beirut that led to the killing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and many of his leaders.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said hours before announcing the start of the ground operation, “Eliminating Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the last.”
During his visit, soldiers from an armored unit deployed on the Lebanese-Israeli border added, “We will use all necessary means, your force and other forces from the air, from the sea, and on land.”
What does Israel want?
Since October 8, Hezbollah has been firing missiles towards Israel, forcing 60,000 people to flee from northern to southern Israel.
Hezbollah confirms that it is launching its missile attacks in support of Hamas, which is waging a war with Israel in Gaza Strip. In recent weeks, cross-border clashes have intensified.
Although Hamas continued to fight in Gaza, Gallant announced on September 18 that the focus of the war effort was moving toward the north and said, “The time has come to ensure that the displaced from the north return to their homes.”
Other Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister, pledged Benjamin Netanyahu Repeatedly returning displaced people to their homes.
Netanyahu said in August, “We will continue to strike Hezbollah (…) Whoever has a missile in his home will no longer have a home,” noting that the party uses civilians to hide weapons.
How did Hezbollah respond?
Since the start of the ground operation, Hezbollah has been firing missiles at Israel.
The party announced on Tuesday that it had fired missiles at Israel, targeting “the Glilot base affiliated with the Military Intelligence Unit… and the headquarters.” Mossad“Near Tel Aviv.
Hezbollah denied that Israeli forces had penetrated into Lebanon and engaged in clashes with its fighters, while a Lebanese army source confirmed to Agence France-Presse on Tuesday that its units “did not detect” any Israeli incursion across the border, something that was also confirmed by the spokesman for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. (UNIFIL)Andrea Tenenti.