Israel has initiated a significant ground invasion into southern Lebanon, marking a dramatic escalation in its conflict with Hezbollah resistance movement.
This move, approved by the Israeli Security Cabinet, represents a substantial shift in Israel’s war strategy.
The invasion follows a series of highly effective operations that have severely weakened Hezbollah’s capabilities. In a groundbreaking move, Israel detonated thousands of Hezbollah’s communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, in a single coordinated strike. This operation disrupted Hezbollah’s command and control structures, leaving 1,500 militants out of commission, Middle East Forum reports.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) followed this with a precision strike that eliminated Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, along with 31 senior commanders, decapitating the organization’s leadership.
These preemptive actions set the stage for the current ground invasion, significantly reducing Hezbollah’s ability to mount an effective defense or counterattack.
The IDF confirmed that “several hours ago, Israeli forces began ‘limited, localized, and targeted’ raids against Hezbollah terror targets in the border area of southern Lebanon.”
However, the scale and intensity of the operation suggest a more extensive campaign than initially indicated.
The Commanding Officer of the IDF Northern Command, Major General Ori Gordin, has met with the commanders of the 98th, 91st, and 36th Divisions to approve plans for an expansion of fighting in the North, indicating a well-coordinated and potentially prolonged operation.
Israeli special forces and other units have launched incursions into Southern Lebanon, utilizing both tunnels and surface routes. These raids focus on preparing the area for a larger-scale invasion, targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure along the border.
The IDF has deployed M109A5 “Dohar” 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers in the Upper Galilee region, providing sustained artillery support for advancing troops. This multi-pronged assault aims to dismantle Hezbollah’s rocket launchers, weapons stockpiles, and underground facilities.
bd-pratidin/GR
