Israel invades Lebanon

Israel’s military forces crossed the border into southern Lebanon on Monday to conduct what its military described as “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The offensive, which is aimed at pushing Hezbollah forces farther away from the Israeli border, is expected to last for days, not weeks, US officials said.

Israel informed the US that the intention of the incursion into southern Lebanon is to push Hezbollah forces farther from the Israeli border and target their infrastructure, including stockpiles and weapons, according to a Biden administration official and a source familiar with the planning.

The offensive will be limited in duration and scope, possibly lasting for days, not weeks, the sources said, adding that the geographic reach will be limited, according to media reports.

"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," Israeli officials said in a statement.

"These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."

Some critics expressed skepticism that Israel's operation was "targeted," recalling similar representations of Israel's ground assault into Rafah in May.