Israel has initiated what it calls a “limited” ground incursion into southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions, with officials stressing the operation’s measured scope. The Israeli government emphasized its insistence on the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, either through diplomatic means or military action.

The latest escalation follows weeks of heightened tensions along Israel’s northern border, with sporadic rocket fire and clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces. Israel’s objective in this phase is clear: to ensure that Hezbollah no longer operates freely in violation of the UN resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

Limited Ground Operations

IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus confirmed the incursion in a briefing with international media. “We are operating in a focused manner against Hezbollah’s infrastructure, fortifications, and weapons depots in southern Lebanon,” he stated. “Our goal is to restore security for the people of northern Israel and ensure that Hezbollah cannot continue its illegal military buildup.”

Israeli forces have reportedly advanced several kilometers into southern Lebanon, carrying out strikes on Hezbollah’s rocket-launching capabilities and command centers. However, Conricus reiterated that Israel’s intention is not to escalate the situation into a broader war. “This is a limited incursion. We have no interest in occupying Lebanese territory or staying long-term,” he added.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed this sentiment, insisting that Israel’s military actions were in line with international law and the mandates of UN Resolution 1701. “We will not allow Hezbollah to use southern Lebanon as a base for attacking Israeli civilians,” Gallant said in an official statement. “We prefer diplomacy, but if the international community fails to implement 1701, we are ready to act militarily to ensure compliance.”

Hezbollah’s Tepid Response

In response, Hezbollah launched several rockets aimed at central Israel, though the attacks were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. No significant damage or casualties were reported. Israeli military officials believe Hezbollah’s leadership is wary of triggering a larger conflict, given the group’s current weakened state and Lebanon’s precarious domestic situation.

“Hezbollah’s rocket launches are largely symbolic at this stage,” said Dr. Ely Karmon, a senior researcher at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Herzliya. “The group is avoiding a full-scale confrontation for now, as it cannot afford to be drawn into a major conflict with Israel, especially given its entanglements in Syria and Lebanon’s internal crises.”

In a televised speech, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah denounced the Israeli incursion but stopped short of calling for widespread retaliation. “We are prepared to defend Lebanon and the Lebanese people against any Zionist aggression,” Nasrallah said. However, experts believe the restrained response reflects Hezbollah’s unwillingness to engage Israel in a direct and large-scale war.

International Calls for Restraint

The incursion has drawn international concern, with the United States and European Union urging both parties to avoid further escalation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed Washington’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense but called for “measured and proportionate” military action. “We urge all sides to avoid actions that could lead to further violence and instability,” Blinken said in a statement released by the U.S. State Department.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has historically played a mediating role in the region, also called for a diplomatic solution. “We call on all parties to uphold the principles of Resolution 1701, which remains the framework for ensuring long-term peace in Lebanon and on its borders,” Macron told reporters during a visit to Paris.

Focus on Resolution 1701

Since the 2006 war, Israel has repeatedly criticized the international community for failing to enforce the terms of Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the south. Despite the resolution, Hezbollah has expanded its military presence and amassed an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles, many of them capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s stance on the matter during a press conference in Jerusalem. “We will not allow Hezbollah to continue building its terror infrastructure under the nose of the international community,” Netanyahu said. “The time has come for the full implementation of Resolution 1701, either through diplomacy or, if necessary, through force.”