The Israeli army has launched a ground operation in Lebanon, accompanied by a bombing campaign in southern Beirut.
Israeli soldiers have launched a ground invasion into Lebanon, marking a significant escalation that global leaders fear could ignite a broader conflict in the Middle East. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, local time, Israeli forces began their incursion along the southern border, accompanied by heavy bombardment from warplanes targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut. Thousands of residents have been urged to evacuate.
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Khiam on September 30, 2024. Picture: Rabih DAHER / AFP
Hezbollah, the powerful political and paramilitary organization that controls significant parts of Lebanon, has declared its readiness to defend its territory. In a statement, the Israeli army clarified that its operations in Lebanon involve “limited, localized, and targeted” raids aimed at Hezbollah strongholds near the border, utilizing air and drone strikes alongside intense exchanges of gunfire.
A picture taken from northern Israel, along the border with southern Lebanon, on September 30, 2024 shows a fire following Israeli bombardment. Image source: Jalaa Marey/AFP
This operation coincided with airstrikes on “hostile targets” in Syria, resulting in explosions heard in Damascus. Israel has now struck four regions in recent days: Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen. For the first time since the 2006 war, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 Lebanese civilians, Israeli troops have crossed into Lebanon, with reports of gunfire and explosions emanating from the southern village of Aadaysit Marjaayoun.
Israeli officials have stated there will be “no long-term occupation” of the areas now under their control, although they have not specified the duration of the operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to facilitate the return of tens of thousands of Israelis to their homes near the Lebanon border, which have been under fire from Hezbollah rockets for nearly a year. The shelling over the past days was intended to displace Hezbollah fighters from vital infrastructure, allowing Israel to destroy these targets and enable civilians to return.
Should Hezbollah choose to engage, the consequences could be severe. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on social media that the ground raids are based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, which poses an immediate threat to northern Israeli communities. The IDF is receiving support from the Israeli Air Force and artillery, executing “precise strikes” on military targets.
Despite repeated warnings from the U.S. and other nations to avoid escalating the conflict, Netanyahu appears resolute. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed significant concern regarding the potential for an Israeli ground operation in Lebanon.
This escalation follows reports that three senior members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) were killed in a strike on Beirut. Israel’s attacks reflect a broader strategy that extends beyond targeting Hezbollah.
In response, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, emphasized that the group would continue to resist Israel and support Palestinians in Gaza, asserting their readiness for a ground offensive. Qassem stated, “Our operations have continued at the same pace, and more, since [Hassan Nasrallah’s] killing. We will confront any possibility and are ready if Israel decides to enter by land.”
He directly criticized the U.S. for its unwavering support of Israel, which he accused of committing “massacres.”