IDF Launches Ground Operation in Southern Lebanon

The operation comes as Hezbollah continues to fire rockets and drones toward northern Israel since joining the war alongside Iran.

By United with Israel Staff

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF has launched a ground maneuver in Lebanon aimed at eliminating threats to northern Israel and ensuring the safety of residents in the Galilee.

“IDF forces have begun a ground maneuver in Lebanon to remove threats and protect the residents of the Galilee and the north,” Katz said.

He warned that large numbers of Shiite residents who have fled southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut amid the fighting would not be able to return to areas south of the Litani River until Israel’s security requirements are met.

“Hundreds of thousands of Shiite residents of southern Lebanon who have evacuated and are evacuating their homes will not return south of the Litani area until the safety of residents in northern Israel is guaranteed,” he said.

Katz also sharply criticized Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, accusing him of hiding underground while civilians bear the consequences of the conflict.

“Naim Qassem, who boasts and tells the IDF ‘come, go ahead,’ is hiding underground while turning more than a million Shiites into refugees in their own country,” Katz said.

He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the defense establishment had directed the military to systematically destroy Hezbollah terror infrastructure in villages along the border in order to prevent the group from reestablishing positions close to Israeli communities.

The move comes amid continued escalation along Israel’s northern front. Hezbollah has been launching rockets and drones toward northern Israel since joining the war alongside Iran, repeatedly sending residents into shelters.

In response, the Israeli Air Force has carried out sustained waves of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including in Beirut and other strongholds of the Iranian-backed group.

Last week, Hezbollah launched a large-scale barrage of roughly 200 rockets and drones toward Israel in a single evening attack, triggering widespread interceptions by Israeli air defense systems while Israeli aircraft struck launchers and infrastructure across Lebanon.

Following the barrage, Hezbollah announced the start of a new military campaign against Israel dubbed “Al-Asif Al-Ma’koul,” signaling a further escalation along the northern front.

Earlier Monday, the IDF said forces from the 91st Division had begun targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon as part of the effort to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and remove threats near the border.