“Fierce Fighting” – Israel launches ground offensive in Lebanon

Contrary to Hezbollah’s statements

However, the head of Hezbollah’s press office, Mohammad Afif, said in a written statement to Reuters that Israeli troops had not entered Lebanese territory. Hezbollah is not engaged in “direct ground combat” with Israeli soldiers. But she is ready for it. Afif adds that the Hezbollah attacks on Tel Aviv are just the beginning.

Different information provided by both parties cannot be independently verified.

UNIFIL calls on Israel to end ground operations

The UN Observer Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said the blue helmets remained in place despite recent developments in Lebanon. Unifil calls on all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from escalation. The mission points out that advancing into Lebanon “would be a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity and a violation of (UN Security Council) Resolution 1701.”

Resolution 1701 was passed in 2006 following a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah. Among other things, it called for the complete withdrawal of all Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese Army and the UN. It also called for no armed groups other than peacekeepers to be allowed in the area.

Missiles on northern Israel

After the ground operations began, several projectiles were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel. Some of the projectiles were intercepted, while others landed in uninhabited areas, the Israeli military said. An aerial alert has been issued for areas around the cities of Medula and Avivim.

Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli soldiers twice in Metula. The city of Metula is located on the border line between Israel and Lebanon.

Missile alert in Tel Aviv area

There was another rocket alarm in the greater Tel Aviv area this morning. Residents reported hearing a dull explosion in the heart of the city. Israel’s military said the alarm was triggered by bullets coming from Lebanon. There were also flight warnings in the suburbs of Herzliya and Ramat Khan. Initially there were no injuries.

The US was informed by Israel of these activities

The Pentagon announced late in the evening that it was realigning its military capabilities in the Middle East in light of the current situation. “We have increased the readiness of additional US forces to respond to various contingencies,” spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said. Accordingly, troops already stationed in the Middle East will remain in action for a long time. Troops originally intended to replace them would be called in to provide further reinforcements. This is especially true of protection from the wind.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Zoe Gallant, the Pentagon said. It was agreed that the “offensive infrastructure” on the Lebanese border should be dismantled. It was intended to deter Hezbollah attacks in the style of the October 7, 2023 attacks by Palestinian Hamas.

A million people are running

Since October 2023, one million people have been displaced or otherwise affected by the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, according to the UN emergency agency OCHA. At least 1,000 people have been killed in the past two weeks alone. Millions have fled.

With information from dpa, Reuters and AFP