The Israeli army announced early Tuesday that it had launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon.
The army statement said that “in accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF launched limited, localized and targeted ground attacks based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon”.
“These targets are located in villages near the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” the statement added.
The army pointed out that it “functions according to the methodical plan set by the General Staff and the Northern Command, for which IDF soldiers have been training and preparing for the past months.”
The announcement states that “the Israeli Air Force and IDF artillery are supporting the ground forces with precision strikes on military targets in the area.”
It added that “operation ‘Northern Arrow’ will continue according to the assessment of the situation and in parallel with the fighting in Gaza and in other fields”.
Israel’s military announced Monday night that it was establishing a closed military zone near the border with Lebanon amid reports of an imminent ground offensive into southern Lebanon.
The statement added that the closed military zone covers the settlements of Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi in the north of Israel, into which entry is strictly prohibited.
In this regard, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on three areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday evening, just minutes after issuing an emergency order to evacuate the area in the Lebanese capital.
Earlier, Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adre issued an “urgent warning to residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut” and urged residents and those in nearby areas to evacuate.
The evacuation orders were aimed at the neighborhoods of Lajlaki, Haret Hreik and Burj al-Barajneh.
Adre said the buildings were “near facilities and locations associated with Hezbollah,” adding that “the Israeli army will act against them by force.”
Israel has been carrying out massive airstrikes on Lebanon since September 23, killing more than 960 people and wounding more than 2,770.
The international community warns that Israeli attacks on Lebanon could escalate into a wider regional war.
