The Israeli army has launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon

1 October, 2024 Merkava tanks of the Israel Defense Forces. Illustration photo On the night of Tuesday, October 1, Israel officially announced the start of a ground operation in Lebanon.

The operation is focused on the southern areas where the military facilities of the Hezbollah terrorist group are located. The Israeli Defense Forces reported on this. It is noted that Israeli troops launched the operation on the basis of accurate intelligence, in accordance with the decision of the country's political leadership.

The statement said that army units have launched "limited, localized, targeted ground raids" in Lebanon. The air force and artillery also support the ground forces.

Israeli soldiers at the start of a ground operation in southern Lebanon. October 1, 2024.

Photo from Israeli media

The targets of the operation are Hezbollah facilities and infrastructure located in villages near the border and posing an "immediate threat" to Israeli settlements in northern Israel. In a statement, the Israeli military command outlined that army units are acting in accordance with a plan developed by the General Staff and the Northern Command, according to which soldiers have been training and preparing for the past months. U.S.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant after the start of a ground operation in southern Lebanon. The American official reiterated the White House's position that Israel has the right to self-defense. The United States and Israel agreed to destroy Lebanese Hezbollah's "attack infrastructure" on the border with Israel.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense also emphasized the need for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict, as well as ensuring the safe return of civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. Austin also threatened Iran if it intends to attack Israel and warned of serious consequences for Tehran in this case.

The day before, American media reported that the United States had received a warning from Israel about a limited invasion of Lebanon, where the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah is based.

They cited their own sources as saying that the operation would be aimed at eliminating terrorist infrastructure along the Israeli-Lebanese border to eliminate the threat to Israeli border communities.