Israel has initiated a ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, escalating tensions in a yearlong conflict with the Iranian-backed militant group.
Israel has crossed into southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. This ground offensive started early Tuesday and opens a new front in a yearlong war against the Iran-backed militant group.
Ground Offensive Initiated
The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating it has begun “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” against Hezbollah positions. These raids target areas close to the border that pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel. This military action follows weeks of heavy Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah, including one that killed its longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
“These targets are located in villages near the border,” the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported. “They pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities.”
Recent Context
Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel shortly after the start of the war in Gaza last month. The last ground combat between Israel and Hezbollah occurred during a month-long war in 2006. Since then, both sides have significantly prepared for their next encounter.
U.S. officials had already reported that Israel launched small ground raids inside Lebanon before the official announcement. As a precaution, Israel declared three small border communities a “closed military zone,” limiting access to army personnel.
The Human Cost
There are no reports yet of direct clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants. However, the situation remains tense. Israeli artillery units have been actively pounding targets in southern Lebanon, and the sounds of airstrikes have echoed throughout Beirut. Smoke rose from areas in the southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence.
The conflict has already resulted in extensive casualties, with over 1,000 people killed in Lebanon in just the past two weeks, including many women and children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Potential Consequences
This ground operation represents a new and potentially risky phase in the fighting. Israel aims to deliver a decisive blow to Hezbollah while ensuring the safety of displaced Israelis in border communities. However, the ground offensive could unleash further devastation in Lebanon, where hundreds have already been killed in Israeli strikes, and thousands have been displaced.
Hezbollah, a well-trained militia with tens of thousands of fighters, maintains an arsenal of around 150,000 rockets and missiles. Its capability to respond remains uncertain, especially after significant leadership losses due to Israeli airstrikes.
Broader Implications
The recent escalation poses risks not just to Israel and Lebanon but potentially to the broader Middle East. The Israeli military’s focus has shifted from Gaza to Hezbollah, especially after major gains on the battlefield. Israeli leaders are pushing for Hezbollah to adhere to a U.S. resolution from the 2006 war that requires the group to withdraw from the border.
European countries have begun evacuating their diplomats and citizens from Lebanon as tensions rise. Germany and Bulgaria have already sent military aircraft to extract their nationals.
International Reactions
The United States and its allies are calling for a ceasefire to prevent further escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown little interest in halting military action, focusing instead on achieving military objectives against Hezbollah. France, which maintains close ties with Lebanon, has joined the U.S. in urging restraint.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has also called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the need for peace and the deployment of Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon. This is in line with a U.N. Security Council resolution that was never fully implemented after the 2006 conflict.
Israel’s ground offensive against Hezbollah marks a critical and dangerous moment in the ongoing conflict. As both sides prepare for continued fighting, the humanitarian implications for Lebanon and the wider region remain concerning. The international community watches closely, hoping to avert a larger war that could involve multiple nations.