The Israeli military has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon, marking the official start of the Third Lebanon War, according to Israel’s Army Radio. The operation, which began early Tuesday morning, aims to dismantle Hezbollah outposts that pose a threat to Israeli communities in the north.
The invasion is focused on removing Hezbollah bases and positions from which terrorists have been launching attacks on Israeli citizens. The Israeli government has emphasized that the goal of the war is not to occupy southern Lebanon or establish a “security zone,” but rather to neutralize the threat posed by Hezbollah.
The conflict has its roots in the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, which began last October when the terror organization started firing at Israel in response to a Hamas attack in the south. Despite diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration, Hezbollah continued to launch attacks, prompting Israel to take decisive action.
The Israeli military’s operation is seen as a significant escalation of the conflict, and comes after two weeks of intense airstrikes against Hezbollah targets. The Israeli Air Force has destroyed much of Hezbollah’s leadership and communications infrastructure, as well as a significant portion of its arsenal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel is determined to achieve a decisive victory in the conflict, and to ensure that Lebanon is no longer a haven for enemy interventions. The Israeli government is seeking to avoid a repeat of the indeterminate results of the first two Lebanon wars, and is instead pushing for a clear and decisive outcome.
The Third Lebanon War is the latest chapter in a long and complex conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The First Lebanon War, which took place in 1982, saw Israel invade southern Lebanon to remove Palestinian guerrillas who had been shelling Israeli communities. The war was marked by controversy and civilian casualties, and ultimately ended in a stalemate.
The Second Lebanon War, which began in 2006, saw Israel respond to a Hezbollah kidnapping and killing of Israeli soldiers. The conflict was marked by intense fighting and significant civilian casualties, and ultimately ended with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire. However, the agreement was not enforced, and Hezbollah was able to rebuild its arsenal and pose a continued threat to Israeli communities.
