For days, the long-awaited ground operation of Israel towards the south of Lebanon has commenced. Referred to as “Northern Arrows,” the invasion is claimed to include limited attacks on Hezbollah targets, with the United States being informed about the operation. Israel has declared military zones in towns near the Lebanon border and mandated civilians to immediately vacate their homes. Additionally, Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli soldiers in Metula, military bases in Tel Aviv, and the Mossad headquarters. Yemen’s Houthis also announced targeting Israeli military checkpoints in Tel Aviv and Eilat with unmanned aerial vehicles. According to Lebanese state media, Israel conducted an attack near a hospital south of Beirut. Israel has carried out the attack it had been signaling for days. Israeli military entered Lebanon, starting a ground operation.
In a statement from the Israeli army, it was said, “Limited and targeted attacks on Hezbollah targets have begun. The air force and artillery units are supporting the operation. The focus is on points posing threats to Israel’s north.”
While the operation’s name is announced as “Northern Arrows,” it was indicated that it would progress simultaneously with Gaza.
According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, Israeli artillery units shelled the southern El Wazzani, Al Hiyam, and Marjayoun plains for two hours.
Israeli warplanes also conducted an airstrike on the Kawkaba-Marjayoun highway, leading to the closure of the highway to traffic.
The warplanes carried out intensive, low-altitude flights in the capital Beirut and launched eight airstrikes on the Dahiye neighborhood.
Smoke rose from the skies of Dahiye after the attacks, with reports of many buildings being destroyed.
Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US State Department, disclosed that Israel had informed the United States about a series of limited ground operations planned in Lebanon. “They provided us with information about a series of operations. They told us that these are limited operations focusing on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border, but we are in constant discussion about this.”
Miller also urged both sides not to take escalatory steps and accept a ceasefire.
According to reports from AA, the El Wazzani border area in southern Lebanon was also struck by Israeli artillery fire.
Additionally, the Israeli army urged civilians living in southern Beirut to evacuate due to the plan to launch attacks on Hezbollah targets. Reuters reported hearing explosions in southern Beirut following the evacuation warning.
According to information from AFP, at least six explosions occurred in southern Beirut.
The Israeli army later announced that Lebanese civilians in 29 border towns were instructed to vacate their homes immediately. The Israeli army declared the areas of Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi near the border as military zones.
In a statement, it was emphasized that entry into these areas was strictly prohibited.
Furthermore, it was claimed that Lebanese forces retreated at least 5 kilometers from their positions near the Israeli border. However, the Lebanese army denied reports of withdrawing from border positions but stated that they had only relocated some observation points.
Hezbollah claimed to have targeted Israeli soldiers with artillery shells and achieved “direct hits” near Metula along Lebanon’s border.
Avichay Adraee, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, reported intense clashes with Hezbollah taking place in southern Lebanon.
Yemeni Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree announced targeting Israeli military checkpoints in Tel Aviv and Eilat with unmanned aerial vehicles.
Later, Hezbollah declared targeting Israeli military positions in Tel Aviv suburbs with new Fadi 4 missiles. They also mentioned attacking the Mossad headquarters and a military intelligence unit near Tel Aviv.
Syrian state media announced that three civilians had died in an Israeli airstrike on the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The state media added that the attack had caused significant damage to private properties.
It was further reported that Syrian air defense systems conducted three consecutive strikes on “enemy targets” near Damascus after the explosions heard in the capital.
Following the start of the ground operation, Lebanese Prime Minister Necib Mikati stated that his country was facing “one of the most dangerous stages in its history.”
Mikati urged the United Nations to provide assistance to approximately one million people displaced due to Israel’s airstrikes.
He said, “Approximately one million of our people have been displaced due to the devastating war Israel is waging against Lebanon,” during a meeting with UN representatives.
The Prime Minister called for urgent additional aid to enhance efforts in providing essential support to displaced civilians.
An Israeli security official mentioned during the ongoing attacks that the ground operation was limited, and there was no extensive plan to target Beirut on the table.
The official also stated that there were no reports of clashes with Hezbollah forces within the scope of the ground operation. He also indicated that troops had advanced for the distance they could walk from the border.
Another statement came from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Gallant pointed out the importance of eliminating Hezbollah’s attack infrastructure near the Lebanon border, noting an agreement with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on this matter. He said, “We discussed the threats posed by Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria’s extensions with the US defense secretary.”
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) disclosed that Israel notified its intention to conduct a “limited ground operation” in Lebanon. UNIFIL called on all actors to step back from actions escalating tensions, stating that crossings into Lebanon violated the country’s sovereignty.
Despite the dangerous developments in Lebanon, it was reported that peacekeeping troops continued their duties.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) urged all parties to “urgently reduce tensions.”
An Israeli military spokesperson mentioned that since the beginning of the conflict, dozens of ground operations had been initiated in Lebanon.
The spokesperson claimed that during these operations, the troops had uncovered Hezbollah’s tunnels and weapons.
He said, “We will share our findings about Hezbollah’s attack plans with the international community.”
Stating that the ground operations in Lebanon would continue through the night, he emphasized that they would not enter Beirut or other cities in southern Lebanon.
In an announcement later in the evening, the Israeli army revealed that they had conducted a “sensitive” strike on the capital city, Beirut.
The Israeli army hit a building south of Beirut in the Dahiyeh’s Janah area. It was reported that two apartments in the multi-story building located near the Zahrani Hospital in Dahiyeh were targeted.
As smoke rose from the building where the strike occurred, numerous ambulances were dispatched to the area.
Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson, stated in a written announcement on social media platform X that the army had attacked a target in Beirut.
Moreover, the US Embassy in Israel called on all US government employees and their family members in the West Bank and Gaza to remain in their current locations until further notice.