Israel Launches Ground Incursion into Southern Lebanon

Israeli troops have begun limited ground operations in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah strongholds, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing border conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) describe the incursion as focused on enhancing border security and dismantling militant infrastructure, following weeks of intense airstrikes.

Operation Details

The ground push started on March 15 across multiple axes, including Labouneh hill, Ramyeh, Mrouhin, Aitaroun, and Maroun al-Ras, with troops advancing over a kilometer into Lebanese territory. Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, confirmed the moves aim to seize key hilltops and create a buffer zone up to the Litani River, about 27 km from the border. Evacuation orders have displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians, echoing the 2024 war.​

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Hezbollah Response and Casualties

Hezbollah has fired rockets and drones into northern Israel in retaliation, prompting sirens but no reported injuries on the Israeli side. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports over 850 deaths, including 107 children, and 2,100 injuries from Israeli strikes since March 2, with recent airstrikes killing paramedics and civilians in southern villages. The group vows to defend Lebanon, while Israeli spokespeople claim operations target elite Radwan Force units expanding near the border.​

This invasion follows a November 2024 ceasefire breakdown, triggered by Hezbollah attacks amid wider Middle East tensions involving Iran. Analysts say Israel seeks to weaken Hezbollah permanently and use occupation as leverage in ceasefire talks. The U.S. under President Trump has urged restraint on key infrastructure like Beirut’s airport. Fears mount of a full-scale war, with UNIFIL confirming Israeli presence in border villages like Houla and Khiam.