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 is aimed at pushing Hezbollah forces further away from the Israeli border and is expected to last for days, not weeks, according to U.S. officials.
Israel informed the U.S. that the incursion into southern Lebanon intends to push Hezbollah forces further from the Israeli border and target their infrastructure, including stockpiles and weapons, according to a U.S. official, 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 geographical reach will be limited.
"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."
Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia and political party backed by Iran, began firing at Israel on Oct. 8 in support of Hamas, which is also an Iranian proxy and has been at war with Israel since its Oct. 7 terror attack. The group has been exchanging fire with Israel ever since, displacing tens of thousands of people on both sides of the Lebanese-Israel border.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated earlier this month that the country was entering a new phase of war, one focused on ensuring the return of displaced residents back to the north.
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