The Israeli Army has begun limited and targeted ground operations against important Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, with the aim of reinforcing the forward defense area.
The action, in practice, is an invasion of territory. In a statement, the ministry says that the operation aims to establish and strengthen an advanced defensive posture against the group. The operation comes days after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to “take territories” in Lebanon if Hezbollah did not stop attacking Israel, which accuses the paramilitary group of having launched missiles to defend Iran.
Israeli offensives have hit civilians hard. More than 800,000 people had to leave their homes. In total, the death toll in Lebanon has reached 850. Among the victims, more than 150 children and women.
