Israel launches ground operation into Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah strongholds

• Israel confirmed it launched a "limited" ground offensive against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
• The IDF said Tuesday it began "limited, localized, and targeted ground raids" a few hours ago.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it launched a "limited" ground offensive against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

The announcement officially opens up a new front in the escalating conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, which have traded cross-border strikes on a near-daily basis for almost a year.

"In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon," the Israeli military said in a statement early Tuesday morning local time.

"These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel," it added.

Fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border. However, Israel has increased its military pressure on its foe over the past two weeks with the aim of eventually returning people to their homes.

These efforts began with Israel's sophisticated pager attacks and have transitioned to a campaign of intense and deadly airstrikes, including one that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

Israeli officials on Monday hinted that a ground invasion was imminent.