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3. Israeli Army Begins "Limited Ground Operations" against Hezbollah

The Israeli army said on Monday it had begun “limited ground operations” against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The move comes after a night of direct clashes in Khiam in south Lebanon’s Marjayoun district and days of heavy missile fire.

Israel’s military spokesman said in a statement, “troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at enhancing the forward defence area.”

Before the troops entered the area, the Israeli army conducted air force and artillery strikes against “numerous terrorist targets in order to mitigate threats in the operational environment”.

Broadening offensive

Local media reported airstrikes and artillery fire nearby Khiam in Zawtar Sharqieh, Yohmor al-Shaqif, and Arnoun north of the Litani. Airstrikes also continued in Beirut and the Bekaa valley this weekend.

On Sunday March 15, the Israeli army said it had targeted Beirut headquarters of the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s elite unit of commandos expected to engage in any ground offensive. 

Meanwhile, on March 12 and 13, Israel moved to destroy two bridge over the Litani river, claiming they were key crossings used by Hezbollah militants to move between Lebanon's north and south. 

Diplomatic Track

French President Emmanuel Macron continues to reiterate that France is ready to facilitate negotiations, as Lebanese officials say preparations are underway to form a cross-sectarian negotiating delegation.

The move follows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s push to have civilian talks with Israeli leadership following an immediate ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has signaled openness to talks but stressed that they must occur without a pause to the ongoing fighting, citing the Lebanese state’s failure to adequately control Hezbollah.

Haaretz reported that Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to lead an Israeli delegation.

On March 15, the Israeli government approved an emergency budget allocation of roughly $827 million (NIS 3 billion) for the “acquisition of ammunition, advanced weaponry, and the replenishment of critical combat stocks" according to the Finance Ministry.

Gas Deal

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Sunday that the Israeli government was considering canceling a key 2022 agreement with Lebanon on the delimitation of their maritime border. 

The U.S.-mediated agreement had been a landmark step in relations between the two countries, and resolved a decades long border dispute in a gas-rich area of the Mediterranean Sea.