Israel has informed the United States of its plans to initiate a limited ground operation in Lebanon, U.S. officials have confirmed. The military action could commence as early as Monday, according to reports.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has indicated that the Israeli military is prepared for a ground operation, telling troops stationed near the Lebanese border that Israel is ready to deploy forces from air, sea, and land against Hezbollah. In response, Hezbollah’s deputy leader stated that the group is fully prepared for any incursions by Israeli forces.
International leaders are urging restraint, with calls from the head of the UN and the EU’s foreign policy chief for Israel to refrain from a ground invasion. Reports indicate that the Lebanese army is repositioning troops from the southern border, pulling back at least 5 kilometers north.
Gallant emphasized that the military will utilize all necessary resources to facilitate the return of displaced individuals in northern Israel. He claimed that while the elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is significant, it is not the ultimate objective, stating that “everything that needs to be done – will be done.”
Late on Monday, multiple explosions were reported over Beirut, coinciding with an evacuation order issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for three southern Beirut neighborhoods. IDF spokespersons noted that actions would be taken against Hezbollah’s interests in the region.
Sources suggest Israeli commando units have conducted preliminary incursions into Lebanese territory in preparation for a potential larger-scale operation. Local officials from villages near the border have reported evacuation orders from Israeli military personnel.
Hezbollah’s leadership has communicated its readiness for an Israeli ground offensive, labeling previous attacks as merely the “minimum” response. European Union member states have urged an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, with officials warning that any further military action would significantly escalate tensions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed a strong desire to avoid any kind of ground invasion of Lebanon, echoing sentiments from U.S. President Joe Biden, who called for an immediate ceasefire.
Tensions continue to escalate as both Israel and Hamas confirmed the death of Hamas leader Fateh Sherif Abu el-Amin during Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military has stated that Abu el-Amin was instrumental in coordinating Hamas’s operations with Hezbollah.
In a separate strike early Monday, Israeli forces targeted the Kola neighborhood in central Beirut, resulting in the deaths of three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Medical officials have expressed concern over the unpredictability of safety in the area.
Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes also hit Hodeidah in Yemen, producing significant explosions. The situation has become increasingly dire since the violence intensified following the October 8 escalation, which began after Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel.
Officials report that over 1,000 fatalities have occurred in the past two weeks, with displacement figures soaring to nearly a million individuals. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian crisis is deepening in the region.
