Israel has launched ground operations inside Lebanon, aimed at driving Hezbollah forces away from the border. The two sides are locked in intense fighting even as the U.S. pushes for diplomacy. NBC’s Richard Engel reports for TODAY.
It follows weeks of escalating conflict with the Iran-backed militant group, which is reeling from the killing of its powerful leader. Both the U.S. and Israel warned Iran, which has vowed to respond to the expanding Israeli attacks on its proxies across the Middle East.in recent weeks, Lebanese officials say. The country "is facing one of the most dangerous stages in its history," its prime minister said this morning.called for a cease-fire “right now” but U.S.
“I am scared and terrified,” he told NBC News yesterday, adding that he worried constantly about a bomb, an explosion and the buzzing sound of a plane or drone overhead. At the same briefing, Cristhian Cortez of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the situation in Lebanon had escalated into a humanitarian crisis.Swiss Air has extended its suspension of flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv, as Israel intensifies its offensive in Lebanon.
In a written statement to Reuters, Afif said Hezbollah had not engaged in “direct ground clashes” with Israeli troops, but that it would be ready to do so.Israeli troops in Lebanon remain close to the border with Israel and are yet to clash with any Hezbollah forces, an Israeli security official said this morning.
Video footage released by the IDF suggested that the forces crossing the border were primarily small units of commandos travelling on foot. Israel claims it is carrying out “limited, localized, targeted” operations in southern Lebanon, but Aoun told the BBC it is"definitely a country invading another country."
The spokesperson adds:"Of course, we know that mission creep can be a risk and we will keep discussing that with the Israelis. And ultimately, a diplomatic resolution is the only way to achieve lasting stability and security across the Israel-Lebanon border."Sirens sounded in Tel Aviv's Gush Dan area and across central Israel following"projectile launches that crossed from Lebanon," says the IDF.
"We felt that there was something serious taking place - and soon," he said in an interview this morning. Then, el Hajj said, he heard"very close clashes" near his village, with the sounds of fighting"surrounding us from all directions."Both el Hajj and Charbel, a 35-year-old who asked that his last name be withheld out of fear of professional repercussions, said all appeared to be quiet at around 10 a.m. local time .
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