The Israeli army has invaded Lebanon, according to a statement from Lebanon’s economic minister. The development follows weeks of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, culminating in the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.
Hezbollah Leaders Targeted
Nasrallah’s elimination was followed 24 hours later by the killing of his successor, Hassan Khalil Yassin, further destabilizing Hezbollah’s leadership. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified their operations against the Iranian-backed terror group in recent weeks.
Friday and Saturday’s strikes follows a series of attacks that have crippled Hezbollah’s leadership structure. Hezbollah had been using pagers and flip phones to avoid Israeli hacking, but Israel intercepted a large batch of these devices, embedding explosives next to their batteries. The pagers detonated on Sept. 17, with significant casualties, including the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon. The following day, Hezbollah’s walkie-talkies also exploded, some at funerals for those killed in earlier attacks.
Ground Operation Underway
Saudi news outlets Al Arabiya and Al Hadath have reported that Israeli tanks have crossed into Lebanon, marking the IDF’s first ground operation in the country since the July 2006 Lebanon War, the most significant armed confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel.
The monthlong conflict began when Hezbollah launched a cross-border raid that led to the capture of two Israeli soldiers. Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into northern Israel, while Israel conducted extensive air and ground operations in Lebanon. The fighting ended with a U.N.-brokered ceasefire but without a decisive victory for either side. Hezbollah declared the war as a strategic victory for having withstood Israeli forces.
Monday’s invasion signals a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terrorist group, a move that could have wide-reaching implications for the region.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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