Israel-Hamas war: IDF begins operations in Lebanon amid battle against Hezbollah

The Israeli military launched a limited and localized ground operation Monday evening against the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group, opening a new chapter in the war between Israel and Hamas.

These developments follow the IDF's successful attacks on Hezbollah, killing several key figures in the organization over the weekend.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is one of the most notable victims. The Israeli army also confirmed that Nabil Kaouk, deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council, had been eliminated by IDF forces.

Shortly before Monday's operation, the IDF imposed a closed military zone on border communities in northern Israel, including Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi.

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Israeli tanks and APCs gather near the Israeli-Lebanese border on September 30, 2024. (Erik Marmor/Getty Images)

The incursion began after the Israeli army launched airstrikes on central Beirut on Sunday, marking the first time in a year of war that the central part of the Lebanese capital was targeted.

The Israeli army previously targeted south Beirut, which is a Hezbollah stronghold. On Sunday, it targeted the Sunni terrorist group Al-Jamā'ah al-islāmīyah.

On Monday afternoon, President Biden expressed his disapproval of the IDF's impending ground operations.

ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH WAR: NETANYAHU “DID NOT EVEN RESPOND” TO US CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT AND PLEDGES TO FIGHT “FULL FORCE”

HAIFA, ISRAEL – SEPTEMBER 30: A general view of the city after a series of rockets were fired from southern Lebanon over Haifa, located in northern Israel, on September 30, 2024. While the rockets were seen from Haifa, Israel, some of the rockets were destroyed by the Israeli “Iron Dome” air defense system. (Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“I am more aware [of Israel’s plan] than you think, and I'm comfortable with stopping them,” Biden told reporters before the incursion began.

“We should have a ceasefire now.”

Earlier on Monday, the IDF issued a worrying warning to Hezbollah in an X message.

“A storage facility for surface-to-air missile launchers that Hezbollah had positioned approximately 1.5 km from Beirut International Airport was dismantled in a precise IDF strike,” the Israeli army announced. “This infrastructure poses a threat to both Lebanese and international airspace.”

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September 30, 2024, Lebanon, Qliyaa: Thick smoke from Israeli air raids billows from the southern Lebanese border town of Khiam. (Photo by Stringer/photo alliance via Getty Images)

“The IDF will continue to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities in Lebanon.”