“Targeted and limited”, Israel’s ground operation begins in Lebanon

The Israeli ground operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon has begun, an operation that is defined as “targeted and limited”. This was officially announced by the Israeli army, which speaks of “precise attacks on military targets” after the raid on Beirut yesterday evening against the stronghold suburb of the Shiite organization on the outskirts of the city.

“In accordance with the decision of the political level, a few hours ago, the IDF launched limited, localized and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against terrorist targets and Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel“, reads the note published by the Israeli army.

The IDF, we further read, “operate according to a methodical plan established by the General Staff and the Northern Command, for which the army soldiers have trained and prepared in recent months. The Israeli Air Force and IDF artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area.”

These operations, it is explained, “were approved and carried out in accordance with the decision of the political level. Operation ‘Northern Arrows’ will continue based on the assessment of the situation and in parallel with the fighting in Gaza and in other arenas.”

The IDF “continues to operate to achieve the objectives of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes”, the note concludes.

The operation launched in the last few hours “is targeted and limited in time and scope and does not have the objective of occupying southern Lebanon”, two Israeli sources assured Axios.

The green light from the security cabinet, US informed

The Israeli security cabinet gave the green light to the new phase of the war in Lebanon yesterday evening, local media reported, underlining that it was the ground operation.

The Israeli government had meanwhile informed the United States about “some operations”, including land operations, in the Land of the Cedars, as the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had announced before the operation was made official: “At the moment they told us that these are operations limited to Hezbollah’s infrastructure near the border, but we are in continuous dialogue with them.” When asked what the United States meant by “limited operation”, the spokesperson replied that it was Israel’s definition.

Miller did not condemn the ongoing escalation by the Israeli government, but said the United States had discussed “all the factors” that a so-called ‘escalation to de-escalate’ campaign entails. “Military pressure can sometimes enable diplomacy,” Miller said. “Of course, military pressure can also lead to miscalculations. It can lead to unintended consequences. We are discussing all of these factors with Israel.”

Double raid on the outskirts of Beirut

The Israeli army, meanwhile, after ordering residents of three neighborhoods on the southern outskirts of Beirut to leave their homes for security reasons, conducted two raids on Dahieh, the Hezbollah stronghold suburb, Lebanese media reported.

Hezbollah has meanwhile made it known that it had opened fire on Israeli troops conducting “movements” on the border with Lebanon, Beirut media report.

Meloni: “Italian civilian and military security priorities”

“I am closely following the dramatic situation in Lebanon in constant contact with the defense and foreign ministers. The protection of civilians remains the priority as well as guaranteeing the safety of the soldiers of the Italian Unifil contingent present in southern Lebanon”, the words by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a note.

“Italy will continue to work with its allies for the stabilization of the border between Israel and Lebanon and the return of displaced people to their homes. A regional de-escalation is urgent and necessary and Italy will continue to do its part also as President of the G7”, assures the prime minister.

“The Italian military personnel have reached the protected positions and are currently in the bunkers as a precaution. Unifil is not a direct target of the attacks, but it must not be overlooked that the increase in the level and intensity of the clashes makes the situation delicate. I kept the Presidency of the Republic, the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and my colleague Tajani informed and will keep the Presidency of the Republic informed of further developments”, as stated by the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto in a note.

GB flight to evacuate British citizens

The British government has arranged a flight from Lebanon on Wednesday for British citizens wishing to leave. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation in Lebanon as “unstable” and with the “potential to deteriorate rapidly”. “The safety of British citizens in Lebanon continues to be our top priority. For this reason the British government is organizing a flight to help those who want to leave. It is essential to leave immediately because a further evacuation may not be guaranteed,” said the head of London’s diplomacy.

Explosions also in Syria

Meanwhile, explosions were also heard in Damascus during the night, just as Israel announced the start of the ground operation, the official Syrian media reported, according to which anti-aircraft fire would have gone into action, intercepting “hostile targets” in the capital.

As reported by the SANA agency, “our air defense systems intercepted hostile targets in the Damascus region”. Explosions in the Syrian capital had already been recorded yesterday morning.