Lebanon: Israel commences ground invasion, air force strike Palestinian refugee camp, multiple killed in Syria
Lebanon is waking up with Israeli Forces within its borders for the first time in 18 years.
The Israeli Defence Force confirmed it was commencing a ground invasion on Tuesday morning, sending tanks and troops into the country.
Beirut’s southern suburbs have been hit multiple times with air strikes, as well as Lebanon’s largest and most densely populated Palestinian refugee camp.
Attempting to “achieve the goals of the war”, Israel has vowed intense action against the terrorist group Hezbollah, saying it will do “everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel”.
In Sidon, an attack on Ain al-Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp with an estimated population of 250,000, had killed at least five people. However, the death toll is expected to rise as officials are struggling to reach the site of the attack.
An Israeli strike on Syria has killed three people, one a local journalist.
Key Events
Sleepless night for residents in the path of war on the border
Local residents in the Lebanese border town of Aita al-Shaab reported heavy shelling and the sound of helicopters and drones overhead.
Terrifying images of artillery being fired in the middle of the night show the extremity of the escalating situation.
The IDF said in a statement their targets “are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel”.
‘No long-term occupation of southern Lebanon’, Israeli officials
A senior Israeli official says there will be “no long-term occupation of southern Lebanon.”
However, officals have declined to say how deep troops will enter into Lebanon.
They claim the military is focusing on removing “immediate threats” from villages along the border of Lebanon.
It is understood Israel is attempting to cut off Hezbollah’s ability to infilitate Israel.
Australian Government ‘gravely concerned’ about Israel-Lebanon escalation
Treasured Jim Chalmers says the Government is “gravely concerned” over the escalation as Israel commences a ground invasion of Lebanon.
“We know that the situation in Lebanon has escalated overnight,” he said on Tuesday.
“That is deeply concerning.
“We are gravely concerned for the human cost of an escalation of this conflict, we continue to urge restraint and de-escalation because further hostilities put the lives of tens of thousands of civilians at risk.
“The global community has been really clear that the destructive cycle in this part of the world must stop.
“We call again on parties to agree to the comprehensive ceasefire deal, brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt and endorsed by the UN Security Council.
“Delays in agreeing (to) ceasefires are costing lives, and Lebanon as [Foreign Minister] Penny Wong said, cannot become the next Gaza.
“We do not mourn the death of a terrorist leader responsible for all that destruction in the Middle East. We do mourn the loss of so many innocent lives in the Middle East.
“Too many lives have already been lost to this conflict, an escalation of this conflict risks even more innocent lives, too many families, too many children have already been lost to the conflict in the Middle East.”
‘Chaos’: Mass flight cancellations at Lebanon’s only airport
Ali Hashem, an Al Jazeera reporter in Beirut, described the situation as ‘chaos’ as almost all flights in or out of Beirut are cancelled.
Flight boards on the country’s only airport have begun to show “cancelled” for all flights except Lebanese airlines.
The UK government has reportedly ordered urgent charter flights in a desperate attempt to get British citizens out of the path of danger.
Australia has for months been telling Australians to ‘leave immediately”, warning flights could be cancelled with little to no notice.
It is estimated that 15,000 Australians are in Lebanon.
Blasts in Beirut over the past few hours
Over the past few hours, Israel has conducted targeted strikes on Beirut.
The Arab spokesperson for the IDF, Colonel Avichay Adraee warned people in multiple areas of Beirut to “evacuate”.
“For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate the buildings immediately and start from a distance of no less than 500 meters,” Mr Adraee said.
“You are present near interests and facilities affiliated with the terrorist Hezbollah and therefore the IDF will act against them forcefully.”
Israel will continue to ‘achieve the goals of the war’
“The Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area,” the IDF wrote on X.
“These operations were approved and carried out in accordance with the decision of the political echelon.
“Operation “Northern Arrows” will continue according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and in other arenas.
“The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes.
‘Immediate threat’: Israel enters Lebanon
The Israeli Defence Force has confirmed a “targeted incursion” of Lebanon has commenced.
“In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said on X.
“These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.
The IDF is operating according to a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command which IDF soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months.
