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Israel Begins Ground Invasion of Lebanon with Targeted Raids on Hezbollah

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Israel initiated a ground invasion of Lebanon early Tuesday, conducting “limited, localized, and targeted” raids against Hezbollah positions near the border. The Israeli military stated these raids were aimed at Hezbollah forces that posed an “immediate threat” to northern Israeli communities. Supported by air force and artillery strikes, Israeli ground troops targeted southern Lebanese villages close to the border.

Heavy shelling and the presence of helicopters and drones were reported in the border towns of Aita al-Shaab and Rmeish, with flares lighting up the night sky. Local residents confirmed the intensity of the strikes. This invasion marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, with broader implications for the Middle East.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had earlier indicated the start of a new phase in the conflict along Lebanon’s southern border, aimed at restoring security to Israeli citizens displaced by nearly a year of Hezbollah rocket attacks. This conflict was initially triggered by an assault on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which has since drawn in Hezbollah and risks involving both the U.S. and Iran.

Strikes Expand Beyond Hezbollah The Israeli military also carried out a strike targeting Mounir Maqdah, commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. This was the first strike on the camp since hostilities began between Hezbollah and Israel nearly a year ago. The attack, which struck a building in the camp, left Maqdah’s fate unknown.

Meanwhile, in Syria, an Israeli airstrike killed three civilians in the capital Damascus, marking Israel’s intensified air raids on Iranian-linked targets in the region.

Death Toll Mounts As of Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed approximately 1,000 civilians and forced one million people to flee, according to Lebanese government figures. Recent strikes have also targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, killing 95 people and injuring 172 others within the past 24 hours, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Hezbollah has continued its rocket attacks, firing as deep as 150 km into Israeli territory. The group’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, stated that Hezbollah forces are prepared for ground engagement and vowed to prevail, referencing their victory in the 2006 conflict.

U.S. Response and Ceasefire Proposals While the White House has yet to officially respond to Israel’s ground invasion, U.S. President Joe Biden called for a ceasefire on Monday, expressing concern over the intensifying conflict. Last week, Israel rejected a ceasefire proposal from the U.S. and France that aimed to provide a 21-day pause for diplomatic negotiations and to allow displaced civilians to return home.

 

Israeli PM Netanyahu Says Nasrallah’s Death Is Not Enough to End Middle East Conflict

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike but emphasized that his death alone will not be enough to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Speaking on Saturday, Netanyahu acknowledged Israel’s significant achievements against Hezbollah but reiterated the need for further efforts.

“We have some great achievements, but we haven’t completed the task at hand yet,” Netanyahu said. He added that the devastating blows inflicted by the IDF on Hezbollah would not be enough to bring lasting peace.

Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over 30 years, was killed in a targeted airstrike on Friday in Beirut, Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed his death in a statement, honoring him as a “martyr” and acknowledging his role in shaping the group’s powerful military and political presence in the region. The airstrike also claimed the life of Ali Karki, Hezbollah’s commander of the southern front.

The death of Nasrallah is seen as a monumental blow to Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran that has long been a formidable force in the region. Lebanese political analyst Ronnie Chatah commented, “This is, by far, the deepest psychological blow to this organization since its inception. Hezbollah cannot be the same without Hassan Nasrallah.”

U.S. President Joe Biden weighed in on Nasrallah’s death, calling it “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.” Biden also reiterated his support for Israel while advocating for a ceasefire and further de-escalation of tensions in the region.

Nasrallah’s assassination is expected to have significant political and military consequences, both locally and regionally. Firas Maksad, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, remarked that this development would likely lead to further polarization within Lebanon and heighten tensions between Israel and Iran. “Nasrallah’s killing is emblematic of a head-on confrontation between Israel and Iran over the future of Lebanon and the Levant,” he said.

As the conflict continues to unfold, Israel’s leaders are preparing for potential retaliatory actions from Iran, although some analysts believe this could present an opportunity for a ceasefire in Gaza.

US and Allies Call for 21-Day Ceasefire Along Israel-Lebanon Border After UN Talks

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The United States, France, and other allies have called for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border following intense discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday. The ceasefire would apply to the “Blue Line,” the boundary between Israel and Lebanon, and aims to open the door for potential diplomatic resolutions, according to a senior Biden administration official.

In a joint statement, signed by countries including Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union, the allies urged both Israel and Lebanon to endorse the ceasefire. The situation on the Israel-Lebanon border has grown increasingly volatile, with Israel expanding its airstrikes, resulting in at least 72 fatalities and over 220 wounded, according to Lebanese health ministry reports. A potential ground assault has raised concerns that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional war.

Efforts to reduce hostilities have been ongoing, with Washington engaging both Israel and Lebanon in diplomatic talks. President Biden, along with his allies, views the ceasefire as a crucial step toward broader peace efforts. The U.S. has been focused on this issue in discussions with world leaders at the UN General Assembly this week.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, welcomed the idea of a ceasefire, though he emphasized that any peace must address the root causes of violence, including Iran’s influence in the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, voiced support for Hezbollah and warned that Iran would not stand by if the conflict escalates further in Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also welcomed the ceasefire call but expressed concern over whether Israel would comply with international resolutions.

The conflict has pressured the Biden administration, particularly with U.S. elections approaching. Tensions have mounted following an Israeli airstrike that targeted Hezbollah leadership in Lebanon, with the conflict in Gaza further complicating the situation.