Israel army says ground assault against Hezbollah underway in Lebanon

Israeli military initiates limited ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon amid escalating violence and humanitarian crisis.

The Israeli military said on Monday (March 16, 2026) it was carrying out what it described as "limited" ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, with its Defence Minister warning that those displaced would not return home until northern Israel was secure.

Lebanon was drawn into the war in West Asia on March 2 when Tehran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Israel responded with air raids on its northern neighbour and troop incursions into border areas.

Lebanon said on Monday (March 16) that Israeli attacks have killed 886 people, including 111 children, in the country since the latest war erupted. More than 830,000 people have registered as displaced.

An Israeli military statement said that in recent days its troops "have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon".

"This activity is part of broader defensive efforts to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture, which includes the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel," it said.