Beirut - Reports of an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ground invasion of southern Lebanon on Monday evening appear to be unfounded, despite a flurry of initial reports and escalating tensions with Hezbollah.
Confusion arose from a statement by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, which was subsequently misconstrued by some media outlets. While Miller confirmed that Israel had informed the US of "limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border," this was incorrectly interpreted as confirmation of a ground incursion.
The IDF has yet to comment on the matter, and no concrete evidence of a ground invasion has been presented. This type of operation would mark the first since the 2006 Lebanon War and significantly escalate the current conflict.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been steadily increasing since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The IDF has conducted several airstrikes targeting Hezbollah facilities and leadership figures in recent weeks, including a strike that reportedly killed former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
While a full-scale ground invasion remains unconfirmed, the possibility cannot be entirely ruled out. Reports have surfaced suggesting Israel might launch a limited ground operation in the near future, although the exact scope and timing remain unclear.
The situation remains fluid and unpredictable. The international community is closely monitoring developments and urging all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.