Israel's military hinted at the start of a ground invasion on Tuesday, announcing that its forces had begun limited ground strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. This operation is called “Operation Northern Arrows.”
The military stated that the targeted villages near the border posed an "immediate threat" to residents in northern Israel. Ground troops were supported by artillery fire and airstrikes.
The town of Aita al-Shaab in Lebanon experienced heavy shelling, and local residents reported hearing helicopters and drones overhead. Flares were also seen lighting up the night sky near the town of Rmeish, which borders Lebanon.
The US State Department and the White House did not comment on the situation immediately. Naim Qassem, the deputy head of Hezbollah, stated on Monday that their forces are prepared for ground combat.
In a meeting between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, they emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to allow residents on both sides of the border to return home safely. They agreed that it is crucial to remove equipment along the border to prevent Hezbollah from launching missile attacks on Israeli northern villages, similar to those fired on October 7.
