Israel has invaded Lebanon, beginning a ground operation against Hezbollah. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it has started a “limited and targeted” move against the terrorist group in order to protect Northern Israeli citizens.

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In a statement on X, the IDF explained that the “limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds” are “part of broader defensive efforts to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture, which includes the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area.”

According to a report by RT, the Israeli military noted that prior to the entry of its ground troops into the area, it carried out artillery and airstrikes against “numerous terrorist targets in order to mitigate threats in the operational environment.”

The Israeli strikes on Lebanon have sparked international condemnation. The Vatican, where Pope Leo XIV has said this ground operation is of “great concern.” He additionally stressed that “violence can never lead to justice, stability, and peace.”

Over 800 civilians are believed to have been killed in the Israeli attacks, including over 100 children, according to the Lebanese authorities. The country’s health ministry also stated that at least 31 health professionals have been killed and 51 wounded since March 2. It said the IDF has carried out over 37 attacks against emergency medical workers in Lebanon. –RT

Israel has launched numerous airstrikes on Lebanon over the past weeks in retaliation for Hezbollah’s rocket launches. The militant movement, in turn, was responding to the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes late last month.

The war has been continuously expanding since it began on February 28th.