The Israeli army confirmed on March 29 the launch of a cross-border ground operation from the Syrian side of Mount Hermon the southern Lebanon, for the first time.
In a statement by the Israeli army, the troops crossed mountainous terrain into the Mount Dov area, a disputed area along the Lebanon–Israel border that is occupied by Israel and claimed by Lebanon.
“Climbing through the snow from Mount Hermon (Syrian side) to the Mount Dov (Har Dov) area in southern Lebanon,” the statement explained the movement made by the Israeli army.
In addition, the statement stated that IDF troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against Hezbollah aimed at enhancing the forward Defence area.
An earlier accusation made by the Hezbollah stated that attacks had been launched from Syrian territory into Lebanon by Israel.
Reports by the Al Jazeera Arabic indicate that there have been at least three air strikes on the city of Khiam, a stronghold of Hezbollah.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the operation was made to eliminate threats and protect the residents of the Galilee and the North.
He added that the evacuated Shiite residents of Southern Lebanon would not return to south of the Litani River until the security of the North is guaranteed.
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Israel Attacks on Lebanon
Lebanese authorities announced that more than 1,000,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for many neighborhoods in southern Lebanon, as well as the capital, Beirut.
Israel’s attacks have also killed at least 1,116 people and wounded 3,229 others, figures from Lebanon’s Ministry of Health showed.
The Israeli military said in a social media post on Thursday that troops from Division 162 would operate in southern Lebanon to expand a buffer zone in the area, with two other army divisions already operating in southern Lebanon.
Deployment of the Division 162 commenced a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military planned to retaliate against a missile threat from the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
In early March, Israel launched intensified attacks on its northern neighbor after Hezbollah fired rockets towards Israeli territory following the February 28 assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israel war on Iran.
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Lebanon Response
Hezbollah, in multiple statements, has stated that they continue to repel the incursion of Israel in Khiam, Adaisseh, and Kfar Kila in Marjayoun district, Kfarchouba in Hasbaya, and Dhayra in Tyre district.
In response, Hezbollah has launched rockets and drones targeting Israeli forces and military vehicles in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
Several Israeli armored vehicles with guided missiles, including two Merkava tanks in the border town of Deir Siryan, were attacked by the Lebanese.
The Israeli military reported that one soldier was killed, and four others were injured, in the attack in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned against Israel’s push to deepen its ground invasion during a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Amnesty International also warned that the destruction of bridges and homes in southern Lebanon reflected Israel’s crimes in the Gaza Strip, where it has carried out a genocidal war against Palestinians since October 2023.
