Israel launches 'targeted' ground attacks against Hezbollah in south Lebanon

Israel has launched a raid in southern Lebanon in what has been called a “limited ground operations” targeting Hezbollah, U.S. and other officials said late on Monday, Sep. 30 (United States time).

The attack on infrastructure involved heavy shelling along the boundary in the area north of Kiryat Shmona, BBC reported.

This was the same area where Israeli armour and infantry advanced into Lebanon during the 2006 war.

Lebanon’s state news agency reported that airstrikes continued in Beirut and in at least 10 locations across the south of the country.

The towns of Marjayoun, Wazzani and Khiam were being shelled on Monday night.

The Guardian reported that a local official had received a phone call ordering residents in Lebanon to evacuate, but shelling had started before people could leave the town of Marjayoun.

The area has long been a base for Hezbollah fighters, and was heavily fought over during the last war between Israel and Hezbollah 18 years ago.

Its scattered villages and scrubby landscape hid bunkers and combat tunnels.

US informed

Reports of a cross-border operation came after Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said the “next phase of the war against Hezbollah will begin soon”.

The attack was approved by the cabinet after a meeting chaired by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, according to various international news reports after the war started.

The Israeli military later declared areas of Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi in northern Israel a closed military zone.

Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran.

He said Israel could strike anywhere in the region at will.

“There is nowhere in the Middle East Israel cannot reach,” he said in a video addressed to the Iranian people, according to Reuters.

U.S. president, Joe Biden, said he was aware of Israel’s plans to launch an operation into Lebanon.

He urged against such a move, The Guardian reported.

“I’m more aware than you might know and I’m comfortable with them stopping,” he said.

“We should have a ceasefire now.”

Image via PBS Newshour YouTube