Israel-Hezbollah crisis: IDF launches ground operation in south Lebanon amid escalating Middle East tension

The IDF made the move hours after the country's Cabinet reportedly approved plans for the new phase of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

"In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel," IDF posted on X.

"The IDF is operating according to a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command which IDF soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months,"the Army said.

The IDF said the Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area.

IDF said Operation 'Northern Arrows' will continue according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and in other arenas.

"The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes," the Army said.

Ahead of the IDF’s announcement, an Israeli official told the Times of Israel that their US counterparts had been informed that the goal of the limited operation was to remove Hezbollah positions along Israel’s northern border, thus creating the conditions for a diplomatic agreement under which the terror group’s forces would be pushed back beyond the Litani River, in line with UN Security Council resolution.

More than one million people across Lebanon have been uprooted by ongoing and deadly Israeli airstrikes across the country, including one reported early Monday morning in a residential area of central Beirut, adding to fears of a full-scale invasion.

In a situation update published on Monday the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 11 health workers had been killed and 10 injured between 17 and 28 September.

Some 37 health centres have been forced to close due to the fighting out of 317 in total, and three hospitals treating patients have been evacuated.

“Many healthcare workers have been displaced especially in the south, Bekaa and South Beirut”, WHO reported.

WHO is continued to support Lebanon’s public health emergency response with staffing, financial and technical support, helping coordinate referrals and boosting trauma surgery capacity.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to be deeply concerned over the humanitarian repercussions of the continued bombing by Israel and rocket fire from Hezbollah, his Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday.

Briefing correspondents in New York, Dujarric reiterated the UN chief’s call for de-escalation, a ceasefire and “the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.”

“The Secretary-General and his senior staff are in contact with our representatives on the ground, who continue to engage with all actors and all parties to appeal for diplomatic avenues to be given space.

The UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, which patrols the line of separation between southern Lebanon and northern Israel remains in place but the intensity of military action is preventing "Blue Helmets" from carrying out their tasks or moving around their area of responsibility, Dujarric continued.

A Flash Appeal will be launched on Tuesday to meet the growing needs of around one million people impacted by the growing crisis.