Elite units from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly conducting operations inside southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah positions. The operation follows an explosion that injured four IDF soldiers during a covert mission several hundred meters inside Lebanese territory, an attack for which Hezbollah quickly claimed responsibility.
According to the Israeli military the explosion occurred during an “operational activity” involving the elite units of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance team and the Yahalom combat engineering squad. The involvement of the Yahalom unit which specializes in tunnel operations suggests a concerted effort by the IDF to identify and neutralize Hezbollah-built tunnels that may extend into Israel.
Israeli Commandos Operating Inside Lebanon to Remove Hezbollah https://t.co/otsKf3F2Lm via @BreitbartNews
— James Keay (@reach147) April 16, 2024
Simultaneously the IDF launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon primarily focusing on buildings being used by the terror group. Artillery shelling originating from the Israeli side of the border has also been reported.
Since early October Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on northern Israeli communities and military posts employing a combination of rockets drones and anti-tank missiles. This offensive is part of Hezbollah’s declared support for Gaza amidst ongoing conflicts in the region. Iran has reportedly been directing and funding Hezbollah as well as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad inside Lebanon.
The persistent aggression from Hezbollah has forced approximately 70,000 Israeli civilians to evacuate from areas near the conflict zone disrupting lives and livelihoods. The skirmishes have resulted in the deaths of 10 IDF soldiers and reservists while Hezbollah has acknowledged losing 274 of its fighters primarily in Lebanon.
The U.N. has deployed peacekeepers in southern Lebanon under the provisions of Security Council Resolution 1707. While the resolution aims to prevent Hezbollah from maintaining a military presence near the Israeli border it has largely failed to achieve that objective. The Israeli military is increasingly expressing public frustration over the ineffectiveness of U.N. mandates.
As the situation unfolds the international community’s response will be crucial in determining the next steps. While the West is urging the continuation of diplomatic efforts if those efforts fail Israel likely will see no alternative but to escalate its military responses. The ongoing risk of escalation is heightening tensions across the Middle East and globally.
