Israeli forces have initiated a limited ground invasion in southern Lebanon, following intense clashes with Hezbollah militants. The Israeli military reported that paratroopers and special forces began operations in the region after conducting devastating airstrikes targeting Hezbollah's leadership.

In a precautionary measure, the Israeli army has warned residents against traveling by vehicle from northern areas to regions south of the Litani River.

The military confirmed that operations commenced late Monday, involving elite 98th Airborne Division troops who had recently returned from combat in Gaza. Israeli air and artillery units are providing support for what they describe as a "targeted and precise ground operation" against Hezbollah infrastructure in several villages near the border, which pose an immediate threat to Israeli towns.

A Lebanese security source informed Reuters that Israeli units crossed into Lebanon overnight to conduct reconnaissance missions. The source also noted that Lebanese forces have retreated from positions along the border, though a Lebanese army spokesperson declined to confirm or deny these movements.

Historically, the Lebanese army has refrained from engaging in major conflicts with Israel and has not fired upon Israeli forces during the ongoing hostilities over the past year.

This ground invasion marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, raising concerns about potential involvement from the United States and Iran.

Local residents in the border town of Aita al-Shaab reported heavy shelling and the sound of helicopters and drones overhead. Flare bombs were reportedly launched repeatedly above the Lebanese border town of Ramesh during the night.

Hezbollah announced on Tuesday that it had targeted Israeli forces across the border in Metula with artillery and rocket fire twice, though it did not confirm the start of Israel's ground operation.

Additionally, Palestinian security officials reported that Israel targeted Munir al-Maqdah, the commander of the Lebanon branch of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Fatah movement, in an early morning airstrike in Lebanon. His fate remains unknown.

Sources also indicated that Israel struck a building in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon in southern Lebanon. This marks the first attack on the densely populated camp since border hostilities began nearly a year ago, making it the largest among several Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

In Syria, state media reported that an Israeli airstrike on Damascus resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to nine others. The Israeli military has declined to comment on foreign media reports.

Israel has conducted strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria for years, but has intensified such operations since the Hamas attack on October 7 of last year. Israeli statistics indicate that Hamas killed 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages during its assault. In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza, leading to widespread destruction and the displacement of most of the region's 2.3 million residents. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the assault has resulted in over 41,300 Palestinian deaths.