‘Hezbollah militants are using the civilian environment and population as human shields,’ an IDF spokesperson tweeted in Arabic
The Israel Defence Forces warned residents of Southern Lebanon on Tuesday not to venture south of the Litani River, hours after IDF tanks rolled across the border to begin a limited ground operation against Hezbollah.
“Intense fighting is ongoing in Southern Lebanon, during which Hezbollah militants are using the civilian environment and population as human shields to launch attacks,” Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, head of the Arab Media Branch in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, tweeted in Arabic.
“For your personal safety, we urge you not to travel by vehicle from the northern area to the area south of the Litani River,” he continued. “This warning is valid until further notice.”
“These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” the IDF said, adding that the troops were being backed by aerial and artillery support.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah on Tuesday continued to target communities in northern Israel with rocket fire, while also expanding its range to the centre of the country.
According to initial reports, Hezbollah launched several long-range rockets at neighbourhoods in north Tel Aviv and other areas in the Gush Dan region, with explosions heard, possibly from interceptions.
A rocket and missile alert was activated in the town of Tziv’on in the Upper Galilee on Tuesday morning. Earlier, the IDF said there were launches at Metula, Avivim, Baram and other areas of the Upper Galilee region.
The Iranian-backed terror army has been committing constant cross-border attacks in support of Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 8, 2023, causing the evacuation of more than 60,000 Israelis from their homes in the north. Jerusalem recently added the return of the northern residents to their homes as one of the war goals.
The IDF said that weapons-manufacturing facilities and other military infrastructure were struck during the Dahieh attacks.
“At this time, the IDF continues to strike forcefully to degrade the military capabilities and infrastructure of Hezbollah in order to restore security to the State of Israel and its citizens,” the military said.
Fatah terrorist targeted in Lebanon
An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday targeted a Palestinian Fatah terrorist, Reuters reported.
Mounir Maqdah, commander of the Lebanese branch of Fatah’s military wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, was the target, two Palestinian security officials told the news agency.
It was not clear if the strike was successful.
The strike on a building in Ain al-Hilweh near the southern coastal city of Sidon marked the first time that Israel has targeted the Palestinian refugee camp since hostilities broke out with Hezbollah.
Fatah is the political party chaired by Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas.
Ben-Gvir backs Lebanon actions
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, gave his backing to the current operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“The decisions we have made in recent days are important, correct and necessary,” the Otzma Yehudit Party leader tweeted on Tuesday.
“At the same time, now is not the time to stop. We must continue doing everything, with full force, and crush the Hezbollah terrorist organization in order to safely return the residents of the north to their homes,” he continued.
“I pray for the success of the IDF soldiers who are currently fighting under difficult conditions in Southern Lebanon. The entire people of Israel stand behind them.”