As part of its ground offensive, Israeli forces launched a limited, localized & targeted ground invasion in Lebanon. During the ground invasion, IDF targeted hideouts of the Hezbollah in the border areas of Lebanon during which flares were seen.
As IDF entered Lebanon, thousands of troops, including paratrooper infantry units, artillery, and elite commando forces led the operation. The ground offensive is being spearheaded by ‘98 Division’ and ‘Brigade 7 of the Tank Corp’ of Israeli Defense Forces. Israel’s elite and well-equipped 98 Division is known for carrying out ground operations behind the enemy lines.
Division 98 was responsible for breaking the back of Hamas in Khan Yunis, its strongest fighting brigade, from Dec 2023 to March 2024. Israel launched the “next stage” of its war against Hezbollah after year long exchange of fires in parallel to Gaza war. Israel on Sept 27 eliminated Hezbollah’s boss Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut airstrikes and other senior leaders of the group in subsequent attacks.
Notably, the IDF’s invasion was the first ground operation in Lebanon since the Second Lebanon War in 200. Israel has a long history of incursions and invasions in Lebanon which goes back to 1948 after Israel state was formed. In total, Israel has launched at least 11 ground operations against Lebanon in years from 1948 to now 2024.
