Israel Launches Ground Operation Against Terrorists in Southern Lebanon
The Israeli army has announced a new phase of the war against Hezbollah terrorists and launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon.
‘The Israeli Defence Forces launched a targeted and limited ground operation a few hours ago in southern Lebanon in a number of villages near the border against terrorist targets and infrastructure of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation, which pose an immediate and real threat to Israeli settlements on the northern border,’ the Israeli IDF said in a statement.
According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant told the mayors of northern cities that ‘the next phase of the war against Hezbollah will soon begin, which will consist of a limited ground offensive in Lebanon`.
‘This will be an important factor in changing the security situation and will allow us to complete the important mission of returning residents to their homes,’ he said.
The US government has expressed its support for these actions and believes that Israel's ground operation in southern Lebanon is in line with the country's right to defend itself against threats from terrorist groups, but warns of the possible risks of expanding military operations, CNN reports.
‘We understand that the Israelis will conduct limited operations to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten Israeli citizens. This is consistent with Israel's right to defend its citizens and safely return civilians to their homes,’ the National Security Council spokesman said on Monday evening.
According to him, the White House ‘supports Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah and all Iranian-backed terrorist groups.’
‘Of course, we know that expanding the mission can be risky, and we will continue to discuss this with the Israelis,’ the spokesman added.
