IDF: Limited, localized and targeted raids against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon have begun

A new phase of Israel’s war against Hezbollah is underway, Israel Defense Forces confirmed early on Tuesday morning.

“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,” read a statement from the IDF spokesperson. “These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.” 

The statement continued: “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 Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area.”

The announcement followed reports signaling that an IDF ground incursion into Lebanon was imminent.

U.S. media reports quoting American officials said the Israeli government notified the Biden administration ahead of the anticipated move.

Days after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut, the Israeli War Cabinet gave the green light for an operation on Lebanese soil, according to Ynet News. Some ministers reportedly expressed dismay over alleged leaks from the United States about the IDF’s intentions.  

On Monday afternoon, the U.S. State Department declared that Israel is "currently carrying out limited operations along the border." 

U.S. President Joe Biden was asked if he was comfortable with the reports that Israel is preparing for a ground operation in Lebanon. The president replied: “I’m more aware than you might know and I’m comfortable with them stopping. We should have a ceasefire now.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke to troops situated near the northern border with Lebanon on Monday, hinting that the expansion of the operation was imminent.

“The elimination of Nasrallah is a very important step, but it is not the final one,” Gallant said. “We will employ all the capabilities at our disposal, and if someone on the other side did not understand what those capabilities entail, we mean all capabilities, and you are part of this effort.”

He stressed, "Our goal is to ensure the [safe] return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. We are prepared to make every effort necessary to accomplish this mission. We will use all the means that may be required – your forces, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and on land."

Meanwhile, Arabic media reported that IDF tanks and artillery units were conducting operations in southern Lebanon. 

The IDF's Spokesperson in Arabic, Avichay Adraee, called on residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut to evacuate from specific buildings. 

“You are located near depots and facilities belonging to the terrorist group Hezbollah, and therefore the IDF will act against them forcefully,” he said. 

#عاجل ‼️ انذار عاجل إلى سكان الضاحية الجنوبية في بيروت

إلى جميع المتواجدين في المباني المحددة في الخرائط المحددة والمباني المجاورة لها في الأحياء التالية:
⭕️الليلكي
⭕️حارة حريك
⭕️برج البراجنة

أنتم متواجدون بالقرب من مصالح ومنشآت تابعة لحزب الله الإرهابي ولذلك سوف يعمل جيش… pic.twitter.com/N60UKlRxmV

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) September 30, 2024

Earlier on Monday, the IDF announced that it carried out successful targeted strikes, eliminating three leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Lebanon. In another precise strike, Hamas's leader in the country, Fatah Sharif Abu al-Amin, was targeted and killed.

Abu al-Amin was responsible for coordinating Hamas' terror activities in Lebanon with Hezbollah forces and also served as the head of UNRWA’s Teachers Union in the country. 

Overall, the IDF has eliminated the majority of Hezbollah commanders, including Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the organization’s secretary-general who led the terror group for 32 years. He was killed in a strategic and targeted Israeli airstrike last Friday in Beirut.