The highly anticipated ground operation of Israel towards the south of Lebanon has commenced. Referred to as the “Northern Arrows” operation, it is claimed to involve limited attacks on Hezbollah targets, with the United States being informed about the operation. Israel declared three points near the Lebanon border as military zones and issued evacuation calls to civilians living in the south of Beirut. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli soldiers in Metula, declared as a military zone, as well as military positions in Tel Aviv and Mossad headquarters. Yemeni Houthis also announced targeting unmanned aerial checkpoints of Israeli forces in Tel Aviv and Eilat. Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati made a call to the United Nations. Israel has executed its long signalled attack. Israeli troops entered Lebanon, and the ground operation began.

The Israeli Army’s statement mentioned that “limited and targeted attacks on Hezbollah targets have begun. Air force and artillery units are supporting the operation. The targets are points posing a threat to Israel’s north.”
While the operation was named “Northern Arrows,” it was stated that it would proceed concurrently with Gaza.

According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, Israeli artillery units struck the El-Wazani, Al-Hiyam, and Marjayoun plains in the south for two hours.
Israeli warplanes also carried out an airstrike on the Qoubaiyat-Marjayoun highway, causing the closure of the highway due to the attack.
The warplanes performed intensive, low-altitude flights over Beirut and conducted eight airstrikes in the Dahiye area.
Smoke rose from the skies of Dahiye following the attacks, citing the collapse of numerous buildings. U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, disclosed that Israel had informed the United States about a series of limited ground operations planned in Lebanon.

Miller stated, “They provided us with information on a series of operations. They told us that these are limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border, but we are in constant discussions on this.”
He also called on both sides not to escalate tension and to accept a ceasefire. As per AA’s report, El-Wazani in southern Lebanon was also struck by Israeli artillery fire.
Moreover, the Israeli army issued an evacuation call to civilians living in the south of Beirut under the pretext of impending attacks on Hezbollah targets.
Reuters reported hearing explosions in southern Beirut following the evacuation warning.
According to AFP, sourced from Lebanese security officials, at least six explosions occurred in southern Beirut. The Israeli army declared Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi regions on the Lebanon border as military zones.

The announcement stressed that entering these regions was strictly prohibited.
Furthermore, it was claimed that Lebanese forces retreated at least 5 kilometers from their positions on the Israeli border.
However, the Lebanese army denied reports of its withdrawal from border positions, stating that they merely relocated some observation points. Hezbollah announced that it targeted Israeli soldiers with artillery shells in Metula near the Lebanon border, claiming to achieve “direct hits.” Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that intense clashes with Hezbollah were ongoing in southern Lebanon.

Additionally, Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Yemeni Houthis, announced targeting unmanned aerial checkpoints of Israeli forces in Tel Aviv and Eilat.
Hezbollah later reported targeting Israeli military positions in Tel Aviv suburbs with new Fadi 4 missiles. They also admitted attacking Mossad headquarters and a military intelligence unit near Tel Aviv. Syrian state media reported three civilians killed and nine injured in an Israeli airstrike on Damascus, which caused significant damage to private properties.

The state media added that Syrian air defense systems struck “enemy targets” near Damascus at least three times in one night following explosions heard in the capital. Following the commencement of the ground operation, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati mentioned that his country was facing “one of its most dangerous stages in history.” Mikati urged the United Nations to provide assistance to about a million displaced people due to Israeli airstrikes.

Expressing concern over Israel’s “devastating war on Lebanon,” Mikati met with UN representatives. The Lebanese Prime Minister stated, “To strengthen our efforts to provide basic support to displaced civilians, we urgently call for more aid.”

As attacks continued, an Israeli security official clarified that the ground operation was limited, with no broad plan targeting Beirut on the table. The official noted that there were no reports of clashes with Hezbollah forces within the scope of the ground operation.

Additionally, the official stated that the soldiers had advanced only a walking distance from the border.