Israeli forces have initiated "limited, localized, and targeted" ground raids in Lebanon, just two days after killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike, further deepening the Middle East conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that these raids are aimed at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanese villages near the Israeli border, claiming the area poses an imminent threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel. These operations are part of Israel's broader strategy, named Operation "Northern Arrows," which runs alongside its military campaign in Gaza and other regional theaters of conflict.

In the wake of the raids, Israel carried out multiple airstrikes on southern Beirut, reportedly targeting Hezbollah strongholds. According to Lebanese officials, these strikes also hit a Palestinian camp in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army had previously issued evacuation warnings to residents in southern Beirut, stating that they were located near Hezbollah facilities, which the IDF deems as military targets.

Following Nasrallah’s death, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, made his first public address, vowing that the group would resist any Israeli land invasion, signaling that the group is prepared for an escalation. Hezbollah, in a separate statement, claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli soldiers in border areas near Lebanon, further heightening tensions.

Internationally, there have been widespread calls for a ceasefire. World leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and U.S. President Joe Biden, have urged Israel to avoid a ground invasion in Lebanon. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have dismissed these appeals, with Israel continuing to bombard Beirut, causing hundreds of deaths and displacing thousands, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized that the killing of Nasrallah is only one step in Israel’s broader objective. He warned that the conflict would be fought on all fronts—air, sea, and land—if necessary. In tandem, Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus, Syria, killing three civilians, according to state media. Israeli forces launched these attacks from the Syrian Golan Heights, signaling that the conflict is spreading beyond Lebanon and Gaza.

This conflict with Hezbollah represents a significant shift in Israel’s military focus, which has largely been concentrated on Gaza, where Hamas fighters have been engaged in a prolonged ground operation against Israeli forces. Iran-backed Hezbollah has long supported Hamas, further linking the two battlefronts as the region descends into deeper instability.

Israeli forces have initiated "limited, localized, and targeted" ground raids in Lebanon, just two days after killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike, further deepening the Middle East conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that these raids are aimed at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanese villages near the Israeli border, claiming the area poses an imminent threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel. These operations are part of Israel's broader strategy, named Operation "Northern Arrows," which runs alongside its military campaign in Gaza and other regional theaters of conflict.

In the wake of the raids, Israel carried out multiple airstrikes on southern Beirut, reportedly targeting Hezbollah strongholds. According to Lebanese officials, these strikes also hit a Palestinian camp in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army had previously issued evacuation warnings to residents in southern Beirut, stating that they were located near Hezbollah facilities, which the IDF deems as military targets.

Following Nasrallah’s death, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, made his first public address, vowing that the group would resist any Israeli land invasion, signaling that the group is prepared for an escalation. Hezbollah, in a separate statement, claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli soldiers in border areas near Lebanon, further heightening tensions.

Internationally, there have been widespread calls for a ceasefire. World leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and U.S. President Joe Biden, have urged Israel to avoid a ground invasion in Lebanon. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have dismissed these appeals, with Israel continuing to bombard Beirut, causing hundreds of deaths and displacing thousands, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized that the killing of Nasrallah is only one step in Israel’s broader objective. He warned that the conflict would be fought on all fronts—air, sea, and land—if necessary. In tandem, Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus, Syria, killing three civilians, according to state media. Israeli forces launched these attacks from the Syrian Golan Heights, signaling that the conflict is spreading beyond Lebanon and Gaza.

This conflict with Hezbollah represents a significant shift in Israel’s military focus, which has largely been concentrated on Gaza, where Hamas fighters have been engaged in a prolonged ground operation against Israeli forces. Iran-backed Hezbollah has long supported Hamas, further linking the two battlefronts as the region descends into deeper instability.