The Israeli army began its ground invasion of southern Lebanon on Monday night, hours after the Israeli security cabinet announced that it had approved plans for the latest phase of the war against Hezbollah.
In a written statement, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the Israeli army had begun limited and intensive ground attacks against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The statement said that the ground attacks were accompanied by air force and artillery units, and that ‘Operation Arrows of the North’ would continue in parallel with the conflicts in Gaza and according to the assessment of the situation.
The statement said that the ground forces operating in Lebanon were supported by air and artillery forces, and that the operation was based on plans prepared by the IDF General Staff and the Northern Command.
On the other hand, the Israeli army declared the areas around Metulla, Maskaf Amir and Kfar Giladi near the Lebanese border as closed military zones and banned access to these areas.
Israel bombed southern Lebanon intensively before launching the ground invasion. It was reported that the Lebanese army abandoned its positions near the Israeli border and withdrew 5 kilometres from the border.
Before the invasion began, the Israeli press reported that the army was aiming to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon with a ground operation.
Hezbollah targets Israeli troops in south Lebanon
On the other hand, a written statement posted on Hezbollah’s Telegram account said that Israeli soldiers were targeted in the Besatin region, which coincides with the towns of Kafr Kila and Al-Adise in the south.
The statement said the attack was carried out in support of the resistance of the Palestinian people in Gaza and in defence of the Lebanese people.
Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Kassem, said yesterday that Hezbollah was ready for a possible Israeli land operation and would continue to fight Israel.
The Israeli ground invasion comes after weeks of heavy blows against Hezbollah, including an air strike that killed its longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israel and Hezbollah last fought a month-long ground war in 2006.
