The Israeli military have begun small ground raids against Hezbollah and communities along its border with Lebanon.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Israel informed the US about the raids, which he said were described as ‘limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border.’
There were no reports of direct clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants, who last engaged in ground combat on Lebanese soil during a month-long war in 2006.
But a Western diplomat in Cairo whose country is directly involved in de-escalation efforts said an Israeli ground operation in Lebanon is ‘imminent.’
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said Israel had shared its plans with the US and other Western allies, and conveyed the operation will ‘be limited’.
Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire almost every day since the war in Gaza began, displacing tens of thousands of people in Israel and Lebanon.
Israel says it will continue to strike Hezbollah until it is safe for families to return to their homes near the Lebanon border. Hezbollah has promised to keep firing rockets into Israel until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
It was not clear if Israel had made a final decision on a broader ground operation in Lebanon, but small incursions are being reported from the ground.
Hezbollah vowed to keep fighting even after its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top officials were recently wiped out by Israeli strikes.
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