Israeli Troops Engage Hezbollah; Lebanon Border Sealed \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israel launched limited ground raids against Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon on Monday, while artillery fire targeted Hezbollah positions and northern Israeli communities were sealed off. The Israeli government is reportedly preparing for a larger ground operation against Hezbollah, though it remains unclear when this might occur. Tensions have escalated, with more than 1,000 casualties reported in Lebanon and ongoing diplomatic efforts urging a cease-fire.
Israel and Hezbollah Conflict: Latest Updates Quick Looks
- Limited Raids on Hezbollah: Israel conducted small ground raids targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure along the Lebanon border.
- Tensions Escalate: Daily exchanges of fire have continued since the conflict in Gaza began, with Israeli artillery targeting southern Lebanon.
- Hezbollah’s Leadership Shaken: Hassan Nasrallah and several Hezbollah commanders have been killed by Israeli strikes, but Hezbollah vows to continue fighting.
- Evacuations Begin: Several European countries, including Germany and Bulgaria, have started evacuating their diplomats and citizens from Lebanon.
- Cease-Fire Calls Ignored: The U.S., France, and others have called for a cease-fire, but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remains focused on military efforts.
Deep Look
The Israeli military has intensified its operations in Lebanon, launching limited ground raids against Hezbollah and sealing off communities along its northern border on Monday. As artillery fire pounded Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, the Israeli government hinted at a possible escalation, with reports indicating that more forces could soon be deployed to fight the Iran-backed militant group.
According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Israel informed the U.S. of the raids, describing them as “limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border.” These raids come amid fears of a potential full-scale ground incursion by Israeli forces into Lebanon, though no direct ground clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters have been reported since the monthlong conflict in 2006.
A Western diplomat stationed in Cairo, whose country is directly involved in de-escalation efforts, suggested that an Israeli ground operation in Lebanon was “imminent.” The diplomat, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, noted that Israel had shared its plans with the United States and other Western allies, emphasizing that the proposed operation would be limited in scope.
Growing Escalation and Border Tensions
Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire almost daily since the onset of the Gaza war, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border have been displaced. Israel has insisted that it will continue striking Hezbollah until conditions are safe enough for displaced Israeli families to return home. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has vowed to keep firing rockets into Israel until a cease-fire is established in Gaza.
Although there have been no official announcements on whether a broader Israeli ground operation in Lebanon will take place, there are indications that preparations are underway. Late on Monday, the Israeli Cabinet met, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued consultations with security officials, adding to speculation that a larger operation might be imminent.
Hezbollah’s acting leader, Naim Kassem, has confirmed that the group is ready to fight if Israel launches a full-scale ground offensive. Despite the recent loss of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s long-time leader, Kassem stated that new commanders have already been appointed to replace those who were killed in recent Israeli airstrikes. The individual widely expected to take over Hezbollah’s leadership from Kassem is Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin, who currently oversees the group’s political affairs.
Israel Seals Off Northern Border Communities
Israel’s military issued orders restricting entry to and exit from several northern communities along the Lebanon border, specifically Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi. While these areas being declared closed military zones does not necessarily indicate an immediate invasion of Lebanon, it does reflect a heightened state of military readiness. Such measures are often taken when an imminent threat is detected.
In recent days, the Israeli army has substantially bolstered its presence along the northern border, with commanders affirming that they are prepared to cross into Lebanon if given the directive. Chris Coyle, a resident of northern Israel, reported seeing gates and checkpoints erected throughout the region and large numbers of tanks positioned along the border. “They’re certainly getting ready to go in,” Coyle noted.
Reports from the Golan Heights indicate that Israeli artillery and explosions were heard in southern Lebanon, and Israeli forces fired flares into Lebanese territory. An Associated Press reporter stationed in the Lebanese town of Marjayoun, near the border, reported ongoing shelling and explosions, accompanied by airstrikes in border areas.
Israeli airstrikes over recent weeks have targeted thousands of Hezbollah-related sites across Lebanon. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past two weeks, with the Lebanese Health Ministry indicating that nearly a quarter of the victims were women and children. On Monday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in central Beirut, killing three Palestinian militants. The strike seemed to signal that no part of Lebanon is off-limits to Israeli military action.
Hezbollah’s Uncertain Capabilities After Recent Losses
Hezbollah has significantly escalated its rocket attacks in the past week, firing hundreds of rockets daily into northern Israel. However, most of these have been intercepted by Israeli defense systems or have landed in uninhabited areas. While several Israelis have been wounded, there have been no fatalities since two Israeli soldiers were killed near the Lebanon border on September 19.
Despite its aggressive stance, Hezbollah’s current military capabilities are unclear, especially after a series of major setbacks. Just two weeks ago, an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut would have likely prompted a strong long-range retaliatory strike by Hezbollah. The recent attack hit an area outside Hezbollah’s traditional operational zones, adjacent to a bustling transportation hub usually crowded with buses and taxis. However, the anticipated retaliation never materialized, suggesting that the “unspoken rules” that previously governed the conflict may no longer be in play.
Hezbollah may be conserving its resources for a larger future battle, or it could be struggling after apparent infiltrations by Israeli intelligence into its upper echelons. This situation has left the group’s strategic position more vulnerable than at any time in recent memory.
Amid the rising tension, several European countries, including Germany and Bulgaria, began pulling their diplomats and citizens out of Lebanon on Monday. Germany dispatched a military plane to evacuate relatives of its diplomats, while Bulgaria sent a government aircraft to bring its citizens to safety, with priority given to families with children and vulnerable individuals.
Monday’s airstrike in Beirut killed three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a small leftist faction that has not been significantly involved in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. While Israel did not claim responsibility for the strike, it is widely believed that they carried it out.
On the same day, Hamas confirmed that its top commander in Lebanon, Fatah Sharif, was killed alongside his family during an airstrike on the Al-Buss refugee camp in Tyre, a southern Lebanese port city. The Israeli military acknowledged targeting Sharif, marking another escalation in the conflict.
Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones, and missiles into northern Israel following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, which triggered the current conflict. Israel responded with airstrikes across Lebanon, leading to a steady escalation. The Lebanese government estimates that the fighting may have displaced up to one million people, though the United Nations puts the number closer to 200,000. Tens of thousands of Israelis have also been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities.
Cease-Fire Calls and International Diplomacy
The United States, France, and other allies have called for an immediate cease-fire, expressing concerns that further escalation could draw in Iran and lead to a broader regional conflict. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown little interest in such calls. As his government continues to achieve military gains against Hezbollah, Netanyahu appears focused on capitalizing on this momentum against a longtime foe.
France, with close historical and political ties to Lebanon, has joined the U.S. in pressing for a cease-fire. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Beirut on Monday, urging Israel to refrain from launching a ground offensive in Lebanon. Barrot also called on Hezbollah to stop its attacks on Israel, asserting that the group “bears heavy responsibility in the current situation, given its choice to enter the conflict.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also voiced his support for an immediate cease-fire, adding that Lebanon was committed to deploying troops in the south in accordance with a U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war. That resolution, however, was never fully implemented, leaving the southern region vulnerable to the latest outbreak of violence.
Hezbollah Faces Unprecedented Challenges
Hezbollah, with its tens of thousands of battle-hardened fighters and long-range missile arsenal capable of reaching anywhere within Israel, has long been considered the region’s most formidable militant group and a key ally of Iran. However, Hezbollah has never faced a military campaign quite like the current one. Israel began its escalation against Hezbollah with a sophisticated attack on its communication systems in mid-September, targeting pagers and walkie-talkies. The operation killed dozens of people and wounded around 3,000, including both Hezbollah fighters and civilians. This initial blow has seemingly weakened Hezbollah’s coordination and capabilities, presenting Israel with an opportunity to exploit its vulnerabilities.
As the situation continues to develop, international actors are closely watching for signs of a broader Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon. The next steps remain uncertain, with both sides preparing for what could be a significant escalation. For now, Israel appears set on maintaining its offensive until the threat from Hezbollah is neutralized, while Hezbollah vows to continue its resistance despite its losses.
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