In a move to neutralize Hezbollah’s military presence near the Israel-Lebanon border, Israel has begun a “limited” ground offensive, targeting Hezbollah’s weapons and infrastructure. This operation, described as "localized, targeted ground raids," comes amid escalating tensions following the attacks of October 7, 2023. The Israeli military is focused on areas close to the border that pose "an immediate threat" to Israeli communities in northern Israel.

Israeli ground forces moved into southern Lebanon early Tuesday, marking a significant escalation of an offensive against Hezbollah.

The incursion follows weeks of heavy blows by Israel against the militia group — including an airstrike that killed its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. pic.twitter.com/aa6j31aaXQ

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 1, 2024

 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed support for Israel's actions during a phone call with Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Austin affirmed the U.S.’s backing of Israel's right to self-defense and acknowledged the necessity of dismantling Hezbollah’s attack infrastructure along the border. “We agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border,” Austin said in a statement posted on X. He emphasized that this is in line with Israel’s right to defend its citizens and return civilians safely to their homes.

 

Both Austin and Gallant acknowledged the threat posed by Hezbollah, which has long harbored ambitions of capturing Israel’s Galilee region. In past years, Israel uncovered an extensive tunnel network built by Hezbollah, capable of infiltrating hundreds of fighters into Israeli territory within minutes. This discovery and Hezbollah’s ongoing activities have kept the threat to northern Israel high, and after the 2023 attacks, the Israeli government is no longer willing to tolerate this level of risk.

 

The National Security Council (NSC) also expressed support for Israel’s actions but warned of the dangers of mission creep. “Of course, we know that mission creep can be a risk and we will keep discussing that with the Israelis,” the NSC said. Both Israel and the U.S. also cautioned Iran against launching any direct military attacks on Israel, noting that such actions would have "serious consequences."

 

As the offensive unfolds, the Israeli military’s primary goal is to destroy Hezbollah's operational capabilities along the border and to safeguard Israeli civilians. The situation remains tense, with both sides on high alert as the conflict risks broader escalation, potentially drawing in other regional actors.

 

Based on a report from: BBC | AP 2024-10-01

 

 

 

UN experts condemn Israeli violations of international law in Lebanon

 

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/un-experts-condemn-israeli-violations-of-international-law-in-lebanon/3351504

5 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

UN experts condemn Israeli violations of international law in Lebanon

 

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/un-experts-condemn-israeli-violations-of-international-law-in-lebanon/3351504

 

^ A Turkish media outlet  and the persons who published the report are not from the U.N , they are independent people :

 

"The Special Rapporteurs are part of what are known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. "

 

https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-un-experts-deplore-israels-increasing-disregard-international-law

From Al Jazeera. The article explains why israel's last ground invasion of Lebanon ended in failure for the IDF.

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/2/repeat-of-2006-why-israels-ground-offensive-in-lebanon-wont-be-easy

The goal set by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a familiar one: ensure that Hezbollah can no longer pose a threat to Israelis, especially to those displaced communities which the government aims to return home.

But analysts say his government may be underestimating the group’s ability to fight on home turf and the risk that Israel could end up bogged down in yet another protracted war in Lebanon.