Breaking news: The ‘controlled tension’ that has been going on for a year between Israel and Lebanon changed its dimension when Israel simultaneously detonated the communication devices used by Hezbollah members. Finally, the Israeli army, which assassinated Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah and his command staff, entered Lebanon by land yesterday evening. The name of the land operation, which was announced by news agencies all over the world with the code ‘breaking news’, was announced as ‘Northern Arrows’. While the Israeli army stated that the operation would be ‘limited’, it declared many areas on the Lebanese border as military zones. Lebanese troops, on the other hand, retreated at least 5 kilometers from their positions on the Israeli border in the south. The Israeli army called for evacuation to civilians living in the south of Beirut. Explosion sounds were also heard from Damascus, the capital of Syria, and Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.
Here are all the developments regarding Israel’s ground operation against Lebanon, hour by hour…
07.50
“THERE WILL BE NO LONG-TERM OCCUPATION”
According to the news on CNN, Israeli officials state that the scope of the ground operation against Southern Lebanon is limited and say “there will be no long-term occupation” but refrain from giving a timetable. Stating that Israeli troops will focus on eliminating “immediate threats” along the border, officials refrained from giving information about how deep Israeli soldiers will enter the country or how long the operation is expected to last.
07.15
STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: WE SUPPORT ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF
The White House considers Israel’s ground operation against Southern Lebanon to be compatible with the country’s right to self-defense. A spokesman for the National Security Council said in a statement: “We understand that Israel will conduct limited operations to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten its citizens. This is consistent with Israel’s right to defend its citizens and return civilians safely to their homes.” He emphasized that they support the right to defence.
06.30
ISRAELI SOLDIERS ARE TARGETED BY HIZBULLAH’S SPECIAL FORCES
The aim of Israel’s ground operation is to surround and eliminate Hezbollah special forces in Southern Lebanon, military analyst Elijah Magnier told Al Jazeera.
Magnier said in his statement: “From open source intelligence, we understand that the Israelis are preparing at least 18 brigades. So we are talking about 70,000 to 100,000 soldiers. If we look at the structure of Hezbollah, the strength of the group comes from missile units and special forces. Israel has the majority of its missile units, or at least 60-70 percent.” “He believes that he has destroyed the , so now they want to destroy the special forces deployed,” he said.
06.15
ISRAEL WARNING FROM THE USA TO IRAN
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, stated that Washington supports Israel in its operation on the Lebanon border. Austin also warned Iran of the consequences it would face if it chose to go to war with Washington’s key ally, saying, “I reiterated that if Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack on Israel, there will be serious consequences for Iran.”
05.40
ISRAEL CONTINUES ITS ATTACKS ON THE SOUTH OF LEBANON AND THE CAPITAL BEIRUT
It was stated that the Israeli army continued its land and air attacks in many regions of Lebanon. According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, Israeli artillery units hit the Al-Vezzani, Al-Hıyam and Marcayun plains in the south for 2 hours. Israeli warplanes attacked Kevkebe-Kevkebe. An air attack was carried out on the Marcayun highway and the highway was closed to traffic due to the attack.
The Israeli army also launched illumination flares at the border town of Ayta al-Shaab. Israeli warplanes also carried out intense low-altitude flights in the capital Beirut and carried out 8 air strikes in the Dahiye region. After the attack, smoke rose from the skies of Dahiye. It was reported that many buildings were destroyed in the attacks.
The AA correspondent stated that the Israeli army carried out an air attack on the Ayn al-Hilve Palestinian Refugee Camp in the southern city of Sidon. In the attack, which injured people, the house of Munir al-Makdah, the commander of the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Lebanon responsible, was targeted.
04.00
EXPLOSIONS IN DAMASCUS, THE CAPITAL OF SYRIA
Syrian media announced that Israel carried out air strikes on the capital, Damascus, at night. In the news of SANA news agency at 2.51 local time, “Our air defense systems are opposing enemy targets for the third time tonight.” statements were included.
In another report by SANA, based on a military source, it was claimed that Israel carried out the attacks in the capital with warplanes and drones at 2.05 local time.
The news said, “Our air defense systems resisted the missiles and drones and shot down most of them. In the attack, 3 civilians died, 9 civilians were injured, and material damage occurred.” On the other hand, the regime media announced that Safa Ahmed, a presenter working for Syrian State Television, died in the attack.
In the news on Damascus FM, it was stated that a fire broke out as a result of the attack in Mezze.
03.45
MISSILE ATTACK ON BAGHDAD AIRPORT IN IRAQ
According to the news of the Iraqi news agency INA, based on a security source, one Katyusha missile fell in an empty area at Baghdad International Airport, while another Katyusha missile fell in the vehicle parking area belonging to the Anti-Terrorism Service there. It was noted that no one was injured in the attack in question. It was also stated that security forces found a missile launcher in a vehicle in the Amiriye district of Baghdad.
03.00
OPERATION NAME: NORTHERN ARROWS
The Israeli army announced that they carried out land invasion attacks against some points in the Lebanese territory. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari stated in his written statement that the Israeli army started limited and intense land attacks against Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the south of Lebanon.
It was stated in the statement that the land attacks were accompanied by air forces and artillery units, and that “Operation Arrows of the North” would be continued in parallel with the conflicts in Gaza and according to the situation assessment.
Israeli warplanes started bombing the area immediately after the call to evacuate some places in the Dahiye district of Beirut.
00.15
ISRAELI WAR PLANES HIT DAHIYE
Israeli warplanes bombed the area immediately after the call to evacuate some places in the Dahiye district of Beirut. As a result of the attack, smoke rose from the Laylaki region of Dahiye.
Air strikes by Israeli warplanes targeted the Al-Laylaki, Harat Hirayk and Burj al-Baracine neighborhoods in the Dahiye region, which is seen as the stronghold of Hezbollah, in the south of the capital Beirut. There is no information yet regarding loss of life or material damage.
22.35
ISRAELIAN PRESS ANNOUNCED: LAND OPERATION HAS STARTED
In the statement made by the Israeli army spokesman, Metula (Matalla) at the zero point of the Lebanese border line and the surrounding Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi settlements were declared a “closed military zone”. It was announced that entry to these areas is prohibited. The Israeli press announced that the ground operation against Lebanon had begun.
22.20
LEBANON ARMY WITHDRAWED
It was reported that the Lebanese army abandoned its positions close to the Israeli border and retreated a few kilometers from the border.
According to information obtained from eyewitnesses in the region, Lebanese army troops evacuated some points along the border and withdrew.
There has been no statement from the Lebanese authorities yet regarding the issue.