The Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday that it had begun a “limited, localized” operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, opening a new front in its war against the Lebanese militant group.
However, no reports of direct clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants have been reported so far.
It said in a post on X, “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. These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.”
The IDF said that the operations were “approved” and carried out “in accordance with the decision of the political echelon”.
“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,” it said in the post.
“Operation “Northern Arrows” will continue according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and in other arenas,” it added.
Earlier, on Monday evening, Israel had informed the US that it is conducting limited ground operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon near the border with Israel.
The sounds of airstrikes were heard throughout Beirut and smoke rose from the capital’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, shortly after Israel ordered residents of three buildings to evacuate, news agency Associated Press reported.
Lebanon’s health ministry said that 95 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across the country on Monday. Similarly, 105 people were killed across Lebanon in the airstrikes on Sunday,