The IDF announced the beginning of «limited, localized, and targeted ground raids» targeting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the beginning of a ground offensive into Lebanon to battle Hezbollah after nearly a year of worsening cross-border violence linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
«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», the IDF said in a statement Monday. «These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.»
The IDF said it was operating according to a «methodical plan» drawn up by the General Staff and the Northern Command, and that troops had been trained for the cross-border operation for months. The operation was said to be supported by IDF air and artillery strikes.
«The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes», the IDF said.
The offensive comes just days after massive Israeli airstrikes killed longtime Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiye, sparking another major blow to the Iran-aligned group that has fired rockets, missiles and drones against Israel since the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a massive surprise attack against Israel from Gaza.
