Israel Launches Limited Ground Operations Against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

JERUSALEM :  The Israeli military announced on Monday that it has begun what it described as limited and targeted ground operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing cross-border conflict.

According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), troops from the 91st Division entered specific areas in southern Lebanon aimed at strengthening defensive positions near the border. The military said the operations are intended to dismantle militant infrastructure and reduce threats to communities in northern Israel.

The IDF stated that prior to the ground operations, it conducted artillery strikes and air raids targeting selected locations. Officials described the mission as part of broader efforts to enhance security along the frontier.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that residents displaced by the fighting would not be permitted to return to their homes in southern Lebanon until security conditions for northern Israel are fully restored. He emphasized that ensuring safety for Israeli civilians remains a top priority.

Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said Hezbollah has recently intensified its activity in southern Lebanon, including rocket fire toward Israel and the deployment of additional fighters to border areas. He added that the current ground operations are focused on newly identified sites believed to pose threats to civilians.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, has reported engagements with Israeli forces near border towns, including clashes in the area of Khiam. The group has claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli positions and military movements along the frontier in recent days.

The escalation follows weeks of heightened tensions between the two sides, with both ground activity and aerial strikes expanding across southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities report significant displacement in the region due to ongoing hostilities, while Israel maintains that its operations are defensive in nature.

Israeli officials have stated that no direct negotiations are currently planned with Lebanon to halt the fighting, which continues amid broader regional instability. The situation remains tense as both sides exchange fire along the border.