Israeli forces have launched a "limited" ground operation in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border, as the conflict between the two sides intensifies. The move comes after months of cross-border raids by Israeli special forces and follows the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.
Tensions are running high in Israel as the Political-Security Cabinet approved an operational strategy for a "limited" invasion into Lebanon. The decision came after officials were reportedly frustrated that news of the operation had been leaked hours before they met.
Israel Launches Limited Ground Operations in Lebanon as War Against Hezbollah Continues
An unnamed U.S. security official confirmed to Fox News and other outlets on Monday morning that an invasion was imminent. President Biden appeared to confirm the claims when questioned by reporters, saying, "I'm more aware than you might know." However, he added that he was comfortable with them stopping and that a ceasefire should be implemented immediately.
During a U.S. State Department briefing later in the day, spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that Israel had been informing the U.S. about a number of operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border. It is unclear if Miller was referring to future or ongoing operations, as reports surfaced earlier on Monday suggesting that Israeli special forces had been engaging in cross-border raids for months.
Israel Launches Limited Ground Operations in Lebanon as War Against Hezbollah Continues
Israeli ministers were reportedly frustrated with the leaks of the operation, directing their ire at both U.S. officials and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to local media outlet YNET News. An IDF spokesperson referenced the operation ahead of the ministers' debate, prompting IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari to call on outlets not to report on "rumors."
However, following the meeting, the IDF released a statement confirming that it had begun "limited, localized, and targeted ground raids" against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The IDF emphasized that the targets posed an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.
Israel Launches Limited Ground Operations in Lebanon as War Against Hezbollah Continues
Sources told Fox News that the operation would be limited in scope and shorter than the 2006 operation Israel conducted in Lebanon, which lasted 34 days and resulted in significant casualties. Israel reported that 43 civilians were killed and 997 were injured during that operation.
Axios previously reported that Israel did not give the U.S. advance notice of the exploding beepers operation, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant calling Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin as the pagers detonated in Lebanon. Following Nasrallah's assassination, Austin stated that the U.S. was not involved in the operation and had received no advance warning from Israel.
Israel Launches Limited Ground Operations in Lebanon as War Against Hezbollah Continues
The State Department has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the situation.
