Video snippet of IDF troops entering Lebanon for the first time since 2006

See It: Israel's Ground Operation In Lebanon Explained

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The Judean Staff
Explainer

Israel has embarked on a bold and strategic military campaign in its northern theater, launching what it has termed "a limited ground operation" into Lebanon, a direct confrontation with the Iran-backed Hezbollah. This marks a significant escalation, signaling that Israel is no longer content with tit-for-tat exchanges along the border but is now actively reshaping the dynamics of the conflict.

This development, part of what Israel’s National Security Cabinet has labeled the "next phase" of its war against Hezbollah, is the fourth instance in nearly half a century where Israeli troops have crossed into Lebanese territory. The last significant incursion was during the 34-day war in 2006, a conflict that left an indelible mark on both nations and reverberated across the Middle East.

Israel’s Tactical Shift

In the days leading up to this operation, Israel had methodically increased its aerial bombardments, significantly weakening Hezbollah’s infrastructure and devastating civilian areas. Hundreds of lives have been lost, most of them believed to be Hezbollah assets and supporters, and over a million people have been displaced within Lebanon, underscoring the intense ferocity of Israel’s military campaign.  Israel's campaign has been directed at the terror group's bases of operations, neighborhoods in cities in the south, the suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa valley.

The assassination of Hezbollah's infamous leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike was a pivotal moment that left the militant group reeling. This precise, calculated strike decimated Hezbollah’s top brass, delivering a severe blow to what was once the most potent paramilitary force in the region. The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, was clear in his statement to troops, signaling that Nasrallah’s death was a crucial step in a broader strategic plan. "This is not the final step," Gallant declared, emphasizing that Israel has no intention of stopping until Hezbollah is neutralized as a threat.

Uncertainty Over the Incursion's Depth

While Israeli officials have characterized this military maneuver as limited, it remains to be seen how far into Lebanon Israeli forces will go and for how long. The official line is that the operation aims to eliminate immediate threats along the Lebanese border, including Hezbollah’s rocket-launching capabilities. However, history shows that Israel’s "limited" military operations often expand far beyond their initial scope although after nearly a year of war with Gaza, there is little apetite in Israel for a prolonged conflict, and certainly no intention of remaining in Lebanon.

The most likely scenario is that Israeli forces will clear parts of southern Lebanon of missiles and weapons, then hand control over the region to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) which have retreated from the border so as not to get mixed up in the conflict. It had been the LAF as well as the United Nations International Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) who were supposed to ensure UN resolution 1701 was enforced, the UN resolution that ended the 2006 conflict. However, Hezbollah resisted efforts and instead of retreating north of the Litani River, turned southern Lebanon into a labyrinth of terror tunnels, rocket and missile launching sites and military nests.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed international calls for restraint, further intensifying the situation. His increasingly defiant posture suggests Israel is prepared to take unilateral steps to secure its northern border, regardless of global diplomatic pressure. Netanyahu's rhetoric leaves little doubt that Israel is willing to pay the price of international condemnation to achieve its strategic goals.

Prelude to Invasion

In the hours before the incursion, Israel’s National Security Cabinet officially green-lit the "next phase" of operations against Hezbollah, following days of preparatory raids and artillery fire. Communities in northern Israel have been effectively sealed off, with movement tightly restricted as the military prepares for prolonged conflict.

On the Lebanese side, conflicting reports about the Lebanese Army’s movements have added to the tension, though it is clear that Hezbollah and its backers were bracing for a substantial Israeli response. Israel has unleashed a torrent of airstrikes across southern Beirut, leveling entire neighborhoods, especially in Hezbollah strongholds. This is the first time Israeli bombs have fallen within Beirut’s city limits since the war erupted in Gaza following Hamas' brutal October 7 attacks on Israel.

The Human Cost and Widening Conflict

As Israel shifts focus to Hezbollah, the humanitarian catastrophe in Lebanon is mounting. With more than 1,000 Lebanese civilians already dead from airstrikes, most believed to be Shiite supporters and members of Hezbollah, the once-bustling urban centers of southern Beirut and other regions now lie in ruins. Hezbollah’s command structure is in disarray, but the cost to Lebanon's civilian population is incalculable. The streets of Lebanon are filled with displaced families, homeless and afraid, while Israel remains resolute in its mission to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

This conflict is no longer confined to the Gaza Strip or southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, part of a broader Iranian proxy network that includes groups in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Gaza, has continued to strike Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Iran’s role as the puppeteer behind these militant groups looms large. Tehran, though hesitant to engage in direct conflict, continues to provide Hezbollah with the weapons and logistical support it needs to harass Israel, further entrenching the region in a dangerous standoff that could spiral into a full-blown regional war.

Israel has mitigated the problem thus far by destroying the bridges and pathways connecting Syria and Lebanon's Bekaa valley, the route most of the Iranian arms have taken, as well as warning Tehran that non-commercial flights into Lebanon will be attacked. And yet, it is believed that there are other ways Iran is arming the terror group and it remains to be seen how Israel will manage this moving forward without causing significant damage to an infrastructure that is needed by the Lebanese and without having to place checkpoints throughout Lebanon.

Shifting the Balance of Power

Netanyahu has not minced words when outlining Israel’s ultimate goal. In a fiery speech, he proclaimed that Israel is seeking to fundamentally "change the balance of power in the region." Hezbollah’s decapitation is one aspect of this strategy, but Netanyahu made it clear that no place in Iran or the wider Middle East would be safe from Israel’s reach. Israel’s strikes have not only crippled Hezbollah but have also targeted Iran’s other proxies, including the Houthis in Yemen. These actions send a clear message to Tehran: Israel will not allow Iran to dictate the terms of engagement in the Middle East.

Netanyahu said as much in a video that he made for the Iranian people on Monday. In it, Netanyahu told the Iranian nation that Israel supports the people of Iran, and that one day soon the two nations will enjoy peace. The Israeli Prime Minister reminded the Iranians of the shared history and values that the Persians and Israelis enjoyed prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution that changed the nation from a secular monarchy into a totalitarian theocracy. In the video, Netanyahu made a veiled threat to the leaders in Iran, adding that their demise will come sooner than most expect, a comment that has led many to speculate that Israel is eyeing a strike on Tehran that is similar to the one last Friday that killed Nasrallah. 

The Role of the United States

As the crisis deepens, the United States has found itself in a precarious position. Israel remains one of its closest allies, and Washington has consistently supported Israel’s right to defend itself. Yet, U.S. officials are increasingly wary of Israel’s expanding military objectives. The White House has warned of the dangers of "mission creep," fearing that a short-term operation could evolve into a prolonged occupation of southern Lebanon.

While President Joe Biden has pushed for a ceasefire and urged Netanyahu to consider diplomatic avenues, his administration’s influence over Israel appears to be waning. Netanyahu’s outright rejection of a 21-day ceasefire proposal that was supported by the U.S. and other international actors, has deepened the rift between the two nations. Yet, the U.S. remains a key military supplier to Israel, likely providing the bombs used to kill Nasrallah and other top Hezbollah figures.

What Lies Ahead

The region now stands on the precipice of a far wider conflict. Hezbollah, though reeling from its leadership’s decimation, still possesses the ability to strike back. Its next moves could determine the trajectory of the war. Meanwhile, Iran watches closely, carefully calibrating its involvement to avoid drawing the U.S. deeper into the conflict. But the shadow of a wider war looms, as Israel, undeterred, pursues its goal of neutralizing Hezbollah once and for all.

The coming days will likely see more Israeli strikes, more displacement, and more international calls for de-escalation. But Israel’s leadership appears resolute—this war will not end until Hezbollah is a spent force.

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