Lebanese media reports heavy Israeli artillery shelling toward the border village of Wazzani, close to Ghajar.

The reports come amid growing indications of an imminent Israeli ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

  • @talOP
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    4 hours ago

    I couldn’t find many details yet online on any news sites. There are some video clips on various sites, not much commentary.

    EDIT: This says that tank fire is involved, not whether it’s direct or being used as short range artillery, though:

    https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1u3xkdra

    Ground operation in Lebanon begins with heavy artillery, tank fire

    On the Saudi Al-Hadath network a report said that there is “Israeli preparation for the entry of ground forces and commando forces, in order to locate Hezbollah targets and blow them up.” Another Saudi network, Al-Arabiya reported that tanks penetrated Rmaich in southern Lebanon, but later deleted that report.

    So maybe not direct engagement on the ground yet, but I assume that that’s imminent.

    EDIT2: The IDF apparently just announced initiation of ground operations:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hezbollah-live-updates-hamas-leader-lebanon-killed-strike-hits-rcna173218

    Israel says it has begun ‘limited, localized and targeted’ ground incursion

    Israeli Defense Forces troops have begun a ground incursion into Lebanon, Israel said, adding that the operation will be limited in scope.

    “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,” IDF said in a statement.

    The declaration of a limited mission comes amid fear of full-on regional war. Hezbollah militants who re-energized their attacks on Israel after Hamas militants’ Oct. 7 terror attack on the country are backed by Iran.

    The IDF said the incursion is meant to protect Israeli citizens who live along the border with Lebanon.

    Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon appears to have begun, U.S. officials say

    Israeli officials notified the U.S. that it planned to begin a ground incursion into Lebanon that would be limited in scope, scale and duration, and two U.S. officials tell NBC News that the operation appears to have begun.

    The officials said the U.S. does not have independent confirmation, but the timing tracks with what the Israelis notified the U.S. it had planned.

    The officials said the U.S. has not seen any movement of assets or equipment in Iran to indicate that a response from Tehran is imminent, but Iran has been postured to move quickly if it decides to do so.

    Iran has signaled to the U.S. that it still does not want a wider war, the officials said.

    EDIT3: The War Zone has an article up that summarizes what public information is out there:

    https://www.twz.com/news-features/israeli-ground-offensive-in-lebanon-has-begun-reports