Hezbollah refutes ‘israel’s’ assertion of entering southern Lebanon as ‘false’

Hezbollah has refuted Israel’s assertion that its forces have entered southern Lebanon, labeling the claim as “false.”

The Lebanese resistance organization has declared that its forces are prepared for a “direct confrontation” should Israeli troops cross the border.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, spokesman Mohammed Afifi commented following the Israeli military’s announcement of its forces’ entry into southern Lebanon earlier that day, marking preparations for an impending ground operation.

Afifi clarified that “no direct ground confrontations have so far occurred between resistance fighters and occupation forces,” stressing that the accusations are unfounded.

Hezbollah militants have declared their preparedness for direct engagement with any hostile forces attempting to penetrate Lebanese territory, vowing to inflict significant casualties on such adversaries.

Afifi announced that Hezbollah’s launch of medium-range missiles towards the central regions of the occupied territories “is merely the beginning,” following a series of strikes by the resistance group earlier in the day on Israel’s Glilot military base and the Mossad headquarters on the outskirts of Tel Aviv with a barrage of Fadi-4 rockets. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for what it deems its “largest attack,” targeting key Israeli installations.

In a statement posted on the X platform on Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it is carrying out a “limited ground incursion” targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The military has issued a warning to nearly two dozen Lebanese border communities, advising residents to evacuate north of the Awali River, which is approximately 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border.

The military previously advised civilians to avoid traveling to the region south of the Litani River, which has recently become the focal point of the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israel has intensified its military actions in Lebanon, culminating in the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during an airstrike on southern Beirut.

The Lebanese government reports that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since early October 2023 has exceeded 1,700, with nearly 8,770 individuals injured. In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched a series of rocket and drone attacks targeting Israel.