The Lebanese army has withdrawn troops from several positions along the southern border with Israel, according to local residents and a security source quoted by Reuters. A spokesman for the Lebanese army neither confirmed nor denied these reports.
Meanwhile, a US government official informed NBC that “Israel has begun probing operations, including small-scale ground missions with their Special Forces” into Lebanon. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, added that Israel has deployed combat engineers and other troops for operations such as breaching.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) currently have about five brigades forward deployed, although not all are expected to cross the border. Reports from Al Arabiya indicate that Israeli tanks have been heard in border areas of southern Lebanon.
In a warning issued to residents of southern Beirut’s suburbs, the IDF stated:
“To all those in the buildings indicated on the specific maps and the buildings adjacent to them in the following neighborhoods: Lailaki, Haret Hreik, Borj el-Barajneh, you are in the vicinity of the interests and facilities of the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Therefore, the IDF will act decisively against them. For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must immediately leave the buildings and move at least 500 meters away.”
Shortly after the warning, strong explosions were reported in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah announced that its fighters targeted Israeli soldiers in a wooded area near the border. In the last fifteen minutes, at least four airstrikes have occurred in the region, and the Israeli army has been conducting large-scale strikes on the Lebanese capital. Explosions have been recorded in southern suburbs, including Laylaki, Bourj el-Barajneh, and Haret Hreik.
Israeli artillery training is ongoing in border areas, and little information is available from these regions due to the evacuation of most civilians and a ban on journalists. Nevertheless, predictions suggest that Israel may escalate its ground operations.