Saturday 21 / December / 2024
Tel Aviv: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, focusing on Hezbollah strongholds and infrastructure identified through precise intelligence.
According to the IDF, the limited and localised raids concentrated in villages near the border, aim to neutralise threats to Israeli communities in the northern region.
In a post on X, the IDF wrote, "In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localised, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon."
It added, "These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."
The Israeli military stressed that the ground operations in southern Lebanon are proceeding according to a plan developed by the General Staff and Northern Command.
"The IDF is operating according to a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command which IDF soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months. The Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area," the IDF said.
The IDF reaffirmed its commitment to Operation Northern Arrows, adjusting tactics as needed, while simultaneously combating threats in Gaza and other areas. "These operations were approved and carried out in accordance with the decision of the political echelon. Operation "Northern Arrows" will continue according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and in other arenas," it said.
The IDF further added, "The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes."
Earlier in a precision strike, the IDF had dismantled a Hezbollah surface-to-air missile launcher storage facility, located approximately 1.5 kilometres from Beirut's international airport.
The IDF further asserted that the facility posed a threat to Lebanese and international airspace. "This infrastructure poses a threat to both Lebanese and international airspace. The IDF will continue to degrade Hezbollah's military capabilities in Lebanon," the IDF stated.
US Pentagon backs dismantling of Hezbollah 'attack infrastructure'
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed support for disarming Hezbollah's "attack infrastructure" along the Israel-Lebanon border during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Monday.
"Secretary Austin reaffirmed US support for Israel's right to defend itself against Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other Iran-backed terrorist organizations," the Pentagon said overnight.
"They agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hezbollah cannot conduct October 7-style attacks on Israel's northern communities."
Austin also stressed the importance of "pivoting from military operations to a diplomatic pathway" to ultimately resolve the conflict.
The Biden administration previously had appeared to demonstrate knowledge of Israel's planned incursion. Calls by Washington, and others, for a cease-fire in Lebanon have been rejected by Israel.
Israeli strike hits Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon
An Israeli strike hit a building in a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, Palestinian sources told Reuters and AFP.
The strike reportedly hit a building in the crowded Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp near the Lebanese city of Sidon.
Palestinian security officials said the strike had targeted Mounir Maqdah, head of the Lebanese branch of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.
The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and other governments.
Israeli strikes kill several in Damascus — Syrian state media
At least three people were killed and nine others were injured in Damascus in the early hours of Tuesday morning after Syrian state media reported Israeli strikes.
"The Israeli enemy launched an air aggression with warplanes and drones from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting several points in Damascus," Syria's state-run SANA news agency said.
A television presenter was reportedly among those killed.
Syrian state television said in a statement that it "mourns anchor Safaa Ahmad who was martyred in the Israeli aggression on the capital Damascus."
Israel did not immediately comment on the reports.
Rockets fired at US facility near Baghdad airport
Rockets were fired at a military base in Baghdad housing US troops in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to reports.
Multiple Iraqi security sources told the Associated Press, Reuters and AFP that three rockets were fired during the incident.
No casualties were reported.
"The Victory Base at Baghdad Airport was targeted with three rockets, two of which were shot down by the base's special defenses, while the third fell near the headquarters of the Counter Terrorism Service Command," a security source told AFP, requesting anonymity.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza on October 7, militant factions have targeted bases in Iraq and Syria housing US troops over Washington's military support for Israel.
