Israeli army announces ground operation in southern Lebanon

Israel started its invasion into southern Lebanon with ground troops backed by Israeli warplanes.

The Israeli army have started its invasion into southern Lebanon as they launched more airstrikes, bombing several neighbourhoods.

In a statement, the military described the operation as a “limited” and said that they were targeting sites that “pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.”

“The IDF is operating according to a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command which IDF soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months,” they said.

The announcement comes after Israeli officials appeared to have ordered a blackout on any news of military movements.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighborhood in Beirut’s suburbs in the early hours of Tuesday. Picture: AFP

A US official told Israeli media how Israel framed its 1982 invasion into Lebanon as a “limited” incursion, but turned into an 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon.

President Joe Biden earlier called for a ceasefire and demanded Israel to “stop” after US officials were notified of the plans, which Israeli sources insisted were not going to create “another Gaza”.

Despite the calls for diplomacy, the US sent thousands of troops and doubled its air power in the region with the deployment of new F-15E, F-16, and F-22 fighter jet squadrons.

SEE RECAP OF EVENTS BELOW: 

Originally published as Israeli army announces ground operation in southern Lebanon