Israel launches ground invasion of Lebanon
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The news: Israel has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon in a major escalation of its conflict with militant group Hezbollah.
The context: On Tuesday, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) confirmed it had launched what it described as a “targeted” ground operation in Lebanon, which included its troops crossing the border. Lebanon’s state-run news agency has also reported continuous shelling in the country’s south.
The invasion heightens the prospect of Iran, which funds Hezbollah and Palestinian militant group Hamas, being drawn directly into the conflict.
Israel’s escalation comes despite the US, Israel’s ally and primary military backer, joining Australia and a number of other countries in calling for a 21-day ceasefire last week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayanhu publicly rejected that call, insisting the IDF would continue its attacks “with full force” until its war aims are met.
The US State Department revealed Israel had alerted it to what it described as “limited ground operations”. Israel says it does not plan a long-term occupation of Lebanese territory, but is yet to give a timeline for its troops’ exit.
Syrian media has also reported four waves of strikes on its capital, Damascus, while Israel has also hit targets in Yemen in recent days.
Its assault on Lebanon, which has a population equivalent to Sydney, has displaced roughly a million people. Lebanon’s health minister Firass Abiad said the official death toll of 1,700 since last October was an underestimate, with a “long list of missing” people unaccounted for, according to the New York Times.
Despite calls for deescalation from its allies, Israel has expanded its assaults in recent weeks. Israel's intelligence agency Mossad is suspected to be behind the exploding of pager and walkie talkie used by Hezbollah, which injured thousands, while it also killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrullah in Beirut this weekend.
US President Joe Biden has urged against an all out war in the region. His administration signed off an additional USD20 billion ($28.8 billion) weapons package for Israel in August and a US official told CNN they are working on joint defences to counter any reprisals from Iran.
Roughly 15,000 Australians are estimated to be in Lebanon at any given moment, though it is unclear how many are currently there after months of warnings to flee.
What they said: “We urge Australians in Lebanon to take the first opportunity to leave. Please do not wait for a preferred route. There are flight cancellations and disruptions, and there is a risk Beirut airport may close for an extended period,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said in a statement.
The sources: New York Times, CNN, Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, AP News
