Israel Has Begun Invading Lebanon
Israel has begun invading Lebanon.
Israel has begun invading Lebanon.
Since Israel declared war on Hamas on Oct. 7, it has been clashing with Hezbollah almost daily along the two countries' border.
The fighting has forced thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee their homes.
On Sep. 17, Israel's defense minister then announced that Israel was expanding its official war goals to include helping the Israelis who fled the north to return home.
On Monday, Sep. 30, Israel said it launched a “limited, localized, and targeted” ground invasion into southern Lebanon.
It said it is conducting a "precise" operation against Hezbollah targets in villages close to the border that “pose a threat” to Israeli communities.
This is the first time in 18 years that Israeli troops have crossed into Lebanon.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Israel’s military spokesperson ordered the residents of 27 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate, telling them that going south could "put their lives in danger”.
Both the Israeli military and Hezbollah confirmed on Wednesday, Oct. 2 that there had been "intense clashes" at the border.
This appears to be the first face-to-face incident since Israel's invasion, according to Al Jazeera.
The UN's peacekeeping forces in Lebanon said in a statement that it will keep its position, adding that any crossing into Lebanon violates Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It urged "all actors to step back from such escalatory acts", saying it will only lead to more violence and bloodshed.
Cherry Mohamed
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
