Recent Developments in Israel-Lebanon Conflict
On October 1, 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a “limited ground operation” into southern Lebanon to target the militant group Hezbollah. The operation aims to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure, including tunnels and rocket launch sites, which pose a threat to Israeli towns and communities along the border.
Israeli tanks and soldiers have been massed near the Lebanon border since September 30, 2024, heightening concerns about a potential ground invasion. The operation has drawn threats from Iran, which has warned of a ballistic missile attack on Israel.
Hezbollah’s arsenal remains substantial despite recent airstrikes by Israel, which have eliminated approximately half of the militia’s missiles and rockets. However, Hezbollah still possesses tens of thousands of projectiles, posing a significant threat to Israel.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Lebanese civilians and displaced over one million people. The ongoing strikes have also led to the elimination of key Hezbollah commanders, including Muhammad Jaafar Qasir, who was responsible for arms transfers from Iran to Lebanon.
On October 2, 2024, the IDF announced that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat during the operations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed to have targeted an Israeli unit with an explosive device near a southern border village.
