The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the operation as ‘limited’ and ‘targeted’ (representational image)|Israel Defense Forces|CC BY-NC 2.0

Israel deployed ground troops into southern Lebanon on Monday, aiming to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure and push fighters away from border villages.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the operation as “limited” and “targeted,” supported by air and artillery strikes.

US officials indicated that Israel had scaled back plans for a major campaign, focusing on destroying rocket launchers before withdrawing.

Tensions escalated after months of cross-border attacks and ongoing violence in Gaza, where the IDF has conducted extensive operations against Hamas.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon worsened, with over 1,263 reported casualties since mid-September and hundreds of thousands displaced.