Hezbollah has denied that Israeli forces crossed into southern Lebanon after Israel said that its forces were carrying out “limited” raids there.
“All Zionist claims that [Israeli] occupation forces have entered Lebanon are false,” Hezbollah media relations official, Muhammad Afif told a news agency.
He added that there had “not yet been any direct ground clashes between [Hezbollah] resistance fighters and [Israeli] occupation forces.
“Our fighters are ready to confront enemy forces that dare or attempt to enter Lebanon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon said that the Israeli army notified it of its intention to undertake a limited ground offensive into the country.
UNIFIL noted in a statement that despite the developments, peacekeepers remain in position. It urged all actors to step back from escalatory acts.
“Any crossing into Lebanon is in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of resolution 1701,” UNIFIL said.
UNSC’s Resolution 1701 ended the monthlong war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 and called for a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers as the only armed forces south of the Litani River.
The Israeli army issued an “urgent” warning to residents of about 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately.
“The IDF [Israeli army] does not want to harm you, and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately,” the statement posted on X said.
The statement noted that any home used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted.
It added that residents should immediately head north of the Awali River.
“Be careful, you are not allowed to go south. Going south could put your life in danger. We will let you know when it is safe to return home.”
Israeli military
Also, Israel’s military stressed that the ground offensive in southern Lebanon is not a war against the Lebanese people but will target Hezbollah bases along the border that threaten Israel.
“These localised ground raids will target Hezbollah strongholds that threaten Israeli towns, kibbutzim and communities along our border,” Army Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.
He added that Hezbollah turned Lebanese villages next to Israeli villages into military bases ready for an attack on Israel.
Israel, Lebanon Telling ‘Their Versions’ Of Truth About Ground Raid
Ori Goldberg, an Israeli Political Commentator and Lecturer at Reichman University, noted that he doesn’t believe that Israel is lying about sending ground troops into Lebanon despite Hezbollah’s denial.
“It’s a grey area,” he told a news agency.
He added, “This isn’t an invasion force. This isn’t an expeditionary force. There are no tanks. There are no infantry troops. These are mostly commando units.”
Golberg said that Israeli forces are likely focusing on known Hezbollah installations or similar targets.
“So in that sense, if Hezbollah was expecting an invasion, then Hezbollah statements are correct. Israel, however, has been exactly saying that this is what the force is. So both sides are telling their version of the truth.”
Ori Goldberg
Earlier, Goldberg stated that the Israeli ground offensive in southern Lebanon is part of an effort to shore up its regional reputation and score political points domestically.
“This is saving face on two fronts. On the one hand, the army is going up against an Arab enemy and proving Israel’s mettle. It’s also about the domestic front. The government made a huge mistake when it evacuated 100,000 citizens from the north. They are a political burden on this government’s shoulders.
Ori Goldberg
“This government must redeem itself in the eyes of these citizens,” he said.
He opined that more than anything the incursion is meant to make Israeli citizens feel secure so they’ll return home independently and resolve the government’s problem.
