The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had launched targeted raids against Hezbollah in southwest Lebanon, expanding its ground operations along the country's coastline after deploying more troops.
“Yesterday (Monday), the 146th Division began limited, localized, targeted operational activities against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in southwestern Lebanon,” the military said in a statement on its Telegram channel.
According to Israeli media, the operation includes the 2nd and 205th Brigades, supported by artillery from the 213th Division. The 146th Division is the first reserve unit deployed in the fighting in southern Lebanon, after having been in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah retaliated by launching rockets at Israeli positions in Dalton and Dishon, leading to intense clashes in which one Israeli soldier was seriously injured.
Israel’s Arabic language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued a warning to Lebanese residents in the south of the country, saying that they should move north.
Israel Kills Hezbollah Leader
The Israeli army confirmed on Tuesday the death of Suhail Hussein Husseini, a key Hezbollah logistics leader, in an airstrike in Beirut on Monday.
Husseini, who coordinated arms transfers between Iran and Hezbollah and played a central role in Hezbollah’s military strategies, was targeted in a strike based on precise intelligence.
Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon and Bekaa Region
As the conflict rages, Israeli airstrikes continued in Hezbollah strongholds, including Hayy Al-Ghadeer in southern Beirut, and extended to other towns in southern Lebanon, such as Tyre and Arabsalim.
Artillery fire also targeted Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab.
In the Bekaa region, Israeli air raids damaged residential areas and farmland in Baalbeck’s Nabi Sheet and Yunin villages.
Despite temporary pauses in air raids, Israeli drones maintained a constant presence over the region.
Lebanese Army
The Lebanese army issued a statement on Tuesday saying that it “maintains its readiness to defend the land within the available capabilities, based on the decisions of the political authority and its directives to do what it deems appropriate in order to protect Lebanon.”
The statement underscores the crucial role of the army as a foundational institution for Lebanon and expresses hope for the swift success of global initiatives aimed at halting Israeli aggression. Additionally, the military condemns media campaigns that engage in slander, fabrication and accusations of treason against the armed forces.
https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/articles/1298243/israel-expands-ground-offensive-in-lebanon