The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that Division 98 has initiated targeted operations in southern Lebanon. The military statement detailed that in recent weeks, soldiers from Division 98, including paratroopers, commandos, and the 7th Brigade, prepared for limited and localized targeted operations that began last night in southern Lebanon. These plans were approved and soldiers were trained in the northern arena over these weeks.
The statement further explained that after many months of operations in the Gaza sector, where the soldiers gained practical operational skills and experience, they have now moved north and are currently active in the northern arena after making necessary adjustments for combat in Lebanon.
The Israeli military also stated that its forces began “limited” raids on Hezbollah targets in the border area. “The targets are located in villages near the border that pose a direct threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” the army said. The Air Force and Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes.
Local residents in the Lebanese border town of Aita al-Shaab reported heavy shelling and the buzzing of helicopters and drones overhead. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told local council heads in northern Israel on Monday that the next phase of the war along Lebanon’s southern border would begin soon, aiming to facilitate the return of Israelis who had fled from Hezbollah rockets during a border war about a year ago.
The Israeli attacks on armed targets in Lebanon are part of a conflict that extends from Palestinian territories in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Iraq. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential involvement of the United States and Iran in the conflict.
