Israeli troops reached their furthest point inside Lebanon Saturday since the launch of a ground operation against Hezbollah terrorists, capturing a strategic site in the village of Chamaa before pulling back, according to reports.
Israeli Defense Forces engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah militants in the town about three miles from the border, Lebanese state media reported as the Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement it was continuing “limited, localized and targeted operational activity” in the area.
While the ground offensive furthered its assault, Israeli warplanes pounded several suspected Hezbollah strongholds throughout southern Lebanon, including the suburbs of Beirut, Dahiyeh and the port city of Tyre. The IDF issued evacuation orders ahead of the attacks, according to reports.
Fighting in the region ramped up on Oct. 1 when IDF forces targeted the Iran-backed militants who had been launching daily strikes on northern Israel in support of Hamas, displacing tens of thousands of Israelis.
Israeli ground forces reached their deepest point in Lebanon since they invaded six weeks ago, before pulling back early Saturday, reports said. REUTERSThe efforts escalated in mid-October when air strikes on buildings in the southern city of Nabatieh reportedly killed its mayor and 15 other people, and have intensified in the past week.
“We will continue to implement plans, go further, attack deep, hit Hezbollah very, very hard,” IDF chief Herzi Halevi said in a statement Saturday. “We will stop when we know that we are bringing the residents [back] safely.”
Hezbollah continued its bombardment on Saturday, firing approximately 70 rockets into northern Israel, including the port city of Haifa where a synagogue was hit, according to the IDF. No injuries were immediately reported.
The increased violence comes as officials in Lebanon are reviewing a US-backed cease-fire proposal for Israel and Hezbollah and the Lebanese caretaker prime minister is urging Iran to convince its proxy to accept the deal, according to reports.
As the battles raged, on Saturday the IDF announced the death of a soldier who was killed after exchanging gunfire with a Hezbollah operative.
The push on the ground came as Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs as well as several other areas in southern Lebanon. REUTERSSgt. Ori Nisanovich, 21, was killed in fighting in southern Lebanon Friday, bringing the IDF’s death toll in the ground offensive to 44, the Times of Israel reported.
Meanwhile in the West Bank, a confrontation broke out over Palestinians allegedly stealing a flock of sheep from Israelis.
Both sides hurled stones at each other and the Israelis set fire to buildings and a car, according to the Jerusalem Post. The clash was broken up by the IDF and border patrol officers.
With Post wires
A bulldozer clears the rubble at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Ghobeiry in Beirut’s southern suburbs on November 16, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
More than 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire — 80% of them in the eight weeks — according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. REUTERS
Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following fresh Israeli airstrikes targeting the area on Nov. 16, 2024. AFP via Getty Images