"Israeli Forces Engage in Clashes with Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon"

Smoke rising from southern Lebanon due to an attack by the Israeli military.

On the 1st (local time), the Israeli military engaged in intense clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, according to reports from Al Jazeera and others.

Lieutenant Colonel Avihai Adrai, the Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson, revealed this information via social media and warned local residents to refrain from moving southward from north of the Litani River. He stated that units from the 98th Division, including special forces, paratroopers, and an armored brigade, have launched specific operations in southern Lebanon.

Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the Israeli military, claimed that Hezbollah has militarized villages along the Lebanon border and explained that the objective of this attack is Hezbollah strongholds threatening northern Israel.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed faction in Lebanon, announced that it shelled Israeli forces in the Metula area of northern Israel but did not mention any ground invasion by the Israeli military into Lebanon.

According to the Israeli military, some of the five rockets launched from Lebanon were intercepted, while the rest fell in open areas.

This deployment of ground forces marks the first time in 18 years since 2006, raising concerns about escalation in the Middle East. Following the Gaza Strip war, Israel has been bombing Hezbollah military facilities to enable the return of residents displaced from the northern border due to Hezbollah attacks.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati mentioned during a meeting with diplomats that Lebanon is facing the most dangerous phase in its history.