Israel Finds Hezbollah Tunnels and Weapons, Invades Lebanon

According to US sources, in the previous few days, Israeli Special Forces have been carrying out raids in southern Lebanon in preparation for a larger-scale invasion. As part of their probing, they have uncovered numerous underground tunnels that Hezbollah was using to store weapons and shore up their defenses.  These are along the so-called “blue line” that separates Lebanon from Israel.

Today, October 1, 2024, Israel officially launched a ground invasion of Lebanon, escalating an already intense conflict with Hezbollah. The operation followed weeks of airstrikes and heightened tensions after Hezbollah’s rocket attacks and the assassination of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli forces have been conducting raids in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah‘s military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons caches. An IDF spokesman has quantified the scope of the attacks as being “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids.”

The Washington Post reports that the size of the invasion was scaled back following talks with Washington. A US official is reported as saying that the border incursions will focus on targeting and destroying large stores of Hezbollah weapons, then pulling back. Target acquisition has recently been conducted by IDF Special Forces.

Former Israeli Major General Yaakov Amidror states that these kinds of missions are required before moving in larger numbers of troops. He calls it “active reconnaissance.” Is Mr. Amidror teasing a larger invasion to come? Time will tell. Large numbers of troops and armored vehicles had been staged on the border over the weekend. Three towns in northern Israel have been declared to be “closed military zones.”

The invasion is seen as a preemptive measure by Israel to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities, with heavy fighting reported near border towns. Hezbollah retaliated with rocket strikes, intensifying the conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also called for evacuations in Beirut, signaling the potential for a wider military operation. Lebanese civilians in 25 towns near the border have been instructed to move north as quickly as possible. The citizens are also being warned not to use vehicles to cross the Litani River, which lies 20 miles north of the Lebanon – Israel border.

As of this writing, Hezbollah is denying claims that Israeli forces have crossed the border into Lebanon. In contrast, Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s prime minister, has stated today that Lebanon is facing “one of the most dangerous phases” in their history. He has made an urgent plea to the United Nations for their assistance.

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is taking a hard line. He has said he is willing to use all available forces “from the air, land and sea” to target Hezbollah. He noted that any Lebanese home being used to aid Hezbollah would be targeted by the IDF. He has said to IDF troops preparing to cross the border that they would use “any means at their disposal” to allow displaced Israelis to return to their homes in the north of Israel. Tens of thousands of Israeli citizens have been displaced from their homes due to cross-border fighting.

Hezbollah’s de facto leader, Naim Qassem, has weighed in by saying, “We know the battle may be long, but we are prepared for any Israeli forces that cross the border.” Little doubt remains in my mind that Qassem, a former deputy leader, is next up on Mossad’s hit parade.

This ground invasion follows months of escalating violence, with both sides suffering significant casualties. The international community, including the United Nations, has expressed concern over the growing scale of the conflict, urging de-escalation to avoid further destabilizing the region.

The hostilities between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel have caused a mounting humanitarian disaster, with at least 1,200 killed in Lebanon in the past two weeks. This number was reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry, which makes no distinction between civilian and combatant deaths.

Reports indicate that many from Hezbollah’s elite force, Radwan, have retreated to the safety of underground bunkers so they may live to fight another day. Hezbollah would actually prefer a land battle on the soil they control. They recall Israel’s invasion in 1982 and 2006; the earlier invasion and subsequent occupation spawned today’s Hezbollah. In the latter invasion, the Israelis lost over 100 soldiers in less than a month of fighting.

As Israel tightens its grip on Hezbollah’s strongholds, both sides seem to be preparing for a drawn-out conflict, a deadly chess match where every move has the potential to reshape the Middle East, just as it did in the bloody campaigns of the past.

This is a developing situation. Keep checking back with SOFREP for the latest facts.

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