The Israeli army has officially announced the start of a ground operation in southern Lebanon aimed at targets of the Hezbollah group. According to information provided by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military launched a series of raids a few hours ago against important targets of this Shiite group, attacking its infrastructure. The operation started on October 1, which was officially announced reported in a statement by the Israeli military command.
In its statement, the IDF said that the operation is local and targeted, focused on a limited area in southern Lebanon. The army operates according to a pre-prepared plan that was developed by the General Staff in cooperation with the Northern Command. Israeli soldiers have been training for months for this operation.
The ground operations are supported by the Israeli air force and artillery, which are targeting key Hezbollah military targets in the region. The operation was codenamed “Northern Arrows” and will continue according to the military’s assessment of the situation. It is part of a wider hostilities that also cover other regions, including the Gaza Strip.
According to Reuters, the day before around midnight, powerful explosions rang out on the southern outskirts of Beirut, preceding the Israeli military’s call for the evacuation of the local population. The IDF also declared part of the border area around three settlements a closed military zone. The Lebanese army retreated from several positions on the southern border, unable to hold their positions before the advance of Israeli forces.
The operation is a continuation of an escalation of hostilities that previously included bombings in the southern Beirut area. The IDF’s top military commanders, including Major General Ori Gordin and Major General Oded Basiuk, have approved the offensive plans, which are an important part of their strategy to confront Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon.
