The Israeli military last night confirmed its troops had launched a long-awaited ground invasion of Lebanon, as fears mount that the escalation could plunge the Middle East into an all-out war.
After a day of ratcheting tensions in the war-torn region, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that it had begun 'localised and targeted raids' against Hezbollah enemies in southern Lebanon.
'These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,' the military added.
The IDF said that its incursion, dubbed 'Operation Northern Arrows', will continue 'according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gazaand in other arenas'.
The ground assault, which comes nearly a year on from Hamas' October 7 attacks, was given the green light after hundreds of Israeli tanks had massed on the border, with foot soldiers also being supported by the IDF's intensified air strikes.
Dramatic pictures showed a barrage of rockets and bombs lighting up the sky, while artillery fire was heard in a number of villages close to the Israel-Lebanon border.
The deployment of boots on the ground represents a significant escalation in Israel's war against Hezbollah, whose leadership has been wiped out in a series of recent airstrikes.
Amid the increased violence, Syrian state-run media also confirmed that one of its television presenters was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Damascus.
Fires were seen erupting across Lebanon as plumes of smoke billowed into the night sky.
Hezbollah also said it 'targeted' Israeli soldiers' carrying out 'movements' in orchards near the Lebanese border.
As an Israeli bombardment continued into the night, residents living in southern Beirut were ordered to evacuate 'immediately'.
'You are located near interests and facilities belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah, and therefore the IDF will act against them forcefully,' IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X.
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