The Israeli military has announced the start of a “limited, localized and targeted” ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, as it continues to shell areas close to the border and carry out airstrikes on the capital, Beirut.
In a statement released on X early on Tuesday, the Israeli military said that the operation, dubbed “Northern Arrows,” aims to target Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.
“The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” the statement read.
“These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” it continued. “Operation ‘Northern Arrows’ will continue according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and other arenas.”
Airstrikes on Beirut Continue
As the ground operation began, Israeli airstrikes on Beirut continued, with multiple explosions reported in the city. Lebanese media reported that one strike targeted a building in Ain al-Hilweh refugee Palestinian camp near the southern city of Sidon early on Tuesday, with Al Jazeera reporting multiple casualties.
The camp, which is home to thousands of Palestinian refugees, has been a frequent target of Israeli airstrikes in recent days. The attack has caused widespread panic and fear among residents, who are already struggling to cope with the ongoing conflict.
Hezbollah Vows to Respond
Hezbollah, which has been a key target of Israel’s military campaign, has vowed to respond to the ground operation. In a statement released on Tuesday, the group said that it would “confront the Israeli aggression with all its might” and that “the Israeli enemy will pay a heavy price for its aggression.”
The group has been actively engaged in the conflict, launching rockets and missiles into Israel and targeting Israeli military positions. The Israeli military has responded with airstrikes and artillery fire, causing widespread destruction and casualties.
The international community has called for calm and restraint in the face of the escalating conflict. The United Nations has expressed concern about the situation, with Secretary-General António Guterres calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The European Union has also called for a halt to the violence, with High Representative Josep Borrell saying that the EU is “deeply concerned” about the situation. The Arab League has also condemned the Israeli aggression, calling for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
The ongoing conflict has caused a deepening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with thousands of people displaced and many more affected by the violence. The Lebanese government has called for international assistance to help cope with the crisis, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati saying that the country is facing a “catastrophic situation.”
The Palestinian refugee community in Lebanon has been particularly affected, with many families forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in other parts of the country. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has called for urgent assistance to help cope with the crisis.
The Israeli military’s ground operation in southern Lebanon has marked a new escalation in the ongoing conflict. The operation, which aims to target Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure, has caused widespread fear and panic among residents and has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict.
The international community must act quickly to stop the violence and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The people of Lebanon and the wider region deserve to live in peace and security, and it is up to the international community to ensure that this happens.
