Israel-Lebanon latest: Fierce fighting as Israeli troops begin invasion and Hezbollah missiles target Tel Aviv
Israel says a ‘limited, localised and targeted’ ground operation has started in Lebanon, including ‘intense’ fighting along the border
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Israel is engaged in “intense fighting” with Hezbollah inside southern Lebanon after sending troops across the border as part of a major assault, the military have said.
Israel announced overnight that it had launched “targeted” raids on Hezbollah positions on the border with southern Lebanon, controlled by Hezbollah.
A lieutenant commanding Israel’s Egoz unit reportedly told troops before going in that their operation was part of a “more substantial invasion” intended to halt Hezbollah’s ability to attack the northern territories across the border.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Makati said today this is “one of the most dangerous phases” in the country’s history.
"We urgently call for more aid to reinforce our ongoing efforts to provide basic support to displaced civilians," he said at a UN meeting hours after the Israeli incursion.
It comes as Hezbollah missiles targeted the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and the Glilot military base in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.
Hezbollah used its new missile, the Fadi 4, in the attack. It is unclear whether the strikes landed any damage or whether any casualties were reported.
UN calls for de-escalation in Lebanon - video
Below, we have a clip from a spokesperson for the United Nations humanitarian office calling for de-escalation in Lebanon following the Israeli invasion.
Iran does not want war with Israel – but what of Benjamin Netanyahu?
Iran does not want war with Israel – but what of Benjamin Netanyahu?
Editorial: Suddenly energised by bold military initiatives, Israel seems to possess an unlimited appetite for audacious operations
Israel mobilises additional brigades for ‘tasks in northern sector’
Israel has mobilised four reserve brigades and additional forces and is sending them to the northern sector after launching an invasion into Lebanon.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the Israeli military said: “In accordance with the assessment of the situation, it was decided to mobilise four reserve brigades and additional forces for the operational tasks in the northern sector.
“Their recruitment will allow the continuation of the fighting effort against the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and the achievement of the goals of the war, including the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes.”
Mapped: Where Israel has fired missiles around the Middle East as troops begin ground invasion in Lebanon
Mapped: Where Israel has fired missiles as troops begin ground invasion in Lebanon
More than a thousand people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and the Gaza Strip over the past fortnight
Israel claims Hezbollah planned to invade over the border
Israel has claimed in a declassified military report that they discovered Hezbollah plans to invade over the border and “carry out its 7 October”, a reference to the deadly Hamas attack last year.
The report, as we earlier reported, also claimed Israel had neutralised around 700 military sites used by Hezbollah to stage this alleged attack.
“For decades, Hezbollah built terrorist and fighting infrastructures in the villages near the border, through which it planned to penetrate Israeli territory and carry out its October 7,” the report read.
“The map that Hezbollah planned to use as part of the ‘plan to conquer the Galilee’ was found inside one of the compounds that our fighters raided.”
It did not, however, release this plan. Below, you can see military spokesperson Daniel Hagari detail their findings from the report.
Israel carried out dozens of raids into Lebanon over the past year, declassified report says
Israeli forces have been carrying out raids into southern Lebanon for months, uncovering Hezbollah tunnels and weapon caches under homes and discovering invasion plans by the group, an Israeli military spokesman has claimed.
The spokesperson said the details are being declassified for the first time, hours after Israel officially announced a ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The declassified report was posted by military spokesperson Daniel Hagari on X, formerly Twitter.
The report claimed that “following intelligence gathered over many years, dozens of ground operations have been carried out within the territory of Lebanon since the beginning of the war”.
Though Israel says it did not engage in fighting during the secret raids, they reported they discovered numerous weapons. They added that they had neutralised 700 targets.
In pictures: Israel examines aftermath of Hezbollah strikes over the border
How countries are evacuating from Lebanon as airlines suspend flights
How countries are evacuating nationals from Lebanon as airlines suspend flights
No country has activated a large-scale military evacuation yet
Here we have some of the latest photos from Lebanon
Poland to reduce number of staff at Beirut embassy
Poland will limit the number of staff at its embassy in Beirut, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, adding that Warsaw would organise transport for Polish citizens who want to leave Lebanon.
“The decision was made to limit the staff at our embassy in Beirut,” spokesperson Pawel Wronski told reporters. “Mainly these are the families of diplomats. We will try to keep the essential people, and those who are not essential will return to the country (Poland)”
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