Israel Launches Limited Ground Operations Against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli military announced on March 16 that it has begun "limited ground operations" targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in tensions along the volatile Israel-Lebanon border.

The operations represent a new phase in Israel's ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has exchanged near-daily fire with Israeli forces since the outbreak of the Gaza war. The move signals Israel's willingness to expand its military footprint beyond airstrikes and artillery exchanges that have characterized much of the cross-border fighting.

Hezbollah, one of the most powerful non-state armed groups in the Middle East, has long maintained a strong presence in southern Lebanon and receives substantial support from Iran in the form of weapons, funding, and training. The group has been a persistent security concern for Israel, which fought a major war against Hezbollah in 2006.

The announcement has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with international observers and world leaders calling for restraint from both sides. Diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement along the Lebanon-Israel border have so far failed to yield lasting results.

The development comes as the wider Middle East remains on edge, with the Gaza conflict continuing to fuel instability across the region. International community representatives are closely monitoring the situation, urging all parties to avoid actions that could trigger a full-scale war in Lebanon.

Original Article: Read the full story on Dan Tri