Israel’s anticipated ground invasion of Lebanon appeared to commence early Tuesday, as the military announced that troops had initiated “limited” operations targeting Hezbollah positions in the border region.

In a statement, the military indicated that it had launched “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence” against Hezbollah in southern Lebanese villages near the border, which were deemed to pose “an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.”

Support for the ground forces was provided by the air force and artillery through “precise strikes.” Residents in the Lebanese border town of Aita al-Shaab reported intense shelling, accompanied by the sounds of helicopters and drones in the sky. Flares were frequently deployed over the Lebanese town of Rmeish, illuminating the night.

On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant informed local council leaders in northern Israel that the next phase of the conflict along Lebanon’s southern border would soon commence, aimed at facilitating the return of Israelis who have sought refuge from Hezbollah rocket attacks during nearly a year of border hostilities.

The ground invasion signifies a deepening conflict in the Middle East involving Israel and Iran-aligned militants, ignited by an attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023. This situation now poses a risk of drawing in both the United States and Iran.

On Tuesday morning, an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon targeted Mounir Maqdah, the commander of the Lebanese faction of the Palestinian Fatah movement’s military wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, as reported by two Palestinian security officials. His current status remains unclear.

The strike occurred in a building within the densely populated Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, located near the southern city of Sidon. This incident marks the first attack on the camp, which is the largest Palestinian camp in Lebanon, since hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel escalated nearly a year ago.

In Syria, an Israeli airstrike in the capital, Damascus, resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to nine others, according to Syrian state media citing a military source. The Israeli military has stated that it does not comment on reports from foreign media.

Israel has conducted strikes on Iran-affiliated sites in Syria for several years, but has intensified these operations following the Hamas attack on its southern region on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli reports, Hamas’s assault resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages.

In retaliation, Israel initiated a significant military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, leading to widespread destruction across much of the Palestinian territory, displacing the majority of its 2.3 million residents, and resulting in over 41,300 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by the Gaza health ministry.

Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon follows a series of significant military actions, including the lethal detonation of booby-trapped Hezbollah pagers, two weeks of airstrikes, and the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, which has severely impacted the group.

The extensive airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of numerous Hezbollah commanders, but have also claimed the lives of approximately 1,000 civilians and displaced one million people, as reported by the Lebanese government.

Overnight, strikes targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to a security source. A Reuters journalist observed a bright flash followed by a series of loud explosions shortly after the Israeli military issued warnings for residents to evacuate areas near buildings identified as housing Hezbollah infrastructure south of the capital.

In the last 24 hours, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and Beirut have resulted in at least 95 fatalities and 172 injuries, according to Lebanon’s health ministry early Tuesday.

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, delivered his first public address since Nasrallah’s death on Monday, asserting that “the resistance forces are prepared for ground engagement.” He noted that Hezbollah has continued to launch rockets into Israeli territory, reaching distances of up to 150 km (93 miles).

“We understand that this battle may be prolonged. We will emerge victorious as we did in the liberation of 2006,” he stated, referencing the last major conflict between the two adversaries.

Late Monday, Lebanese troops reportedly withdrew approximately five kilometers (3 miles) from their positions along the southern border with Israel, as per a Lebanese security source. A spokesperson for the Lebanese army did not confirm or deny this movement.

Historically, Lebanon’s army has maintained a neutral stance during major conflicts with Israel and has refrained from engaging the Israeli military in the past year of hostilities.

The White House and the U.S. State Department have not yet responded to inquiries regarding Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon. However, on Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden called for a ceasefire.

I have greater concerns than you may realize, and I support their decision to halt operations,” Biden stated to reporters when questioned about his stance on Israeli plans for a cross-border operation. “A ceasefire is necessary at this moment.”

Last week, Israel dismissed a proposal from the U.S. and France that advocated for a 21-day ceasefire along the Lebanon border, aimed at facilitating a diplomatic resolution that would enable displaced civilians from both sides to return to their homes.