IDF Expands Ground Operations in Lebanon, Adds Infantry and Armored Units
The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that infantry and armored units have joined its ongoing ground operations in southern Lebanon, though it emphasized that the incursion remains limited and localized. The move signals an expansion of the operation beyond the commando and paratroop units initially deployed earlier this week.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, and the 6th Infantry Brigade, are now involved in the operations. These additional forces suggest the mission has shifted beyond the earlier special forces raids into a more substantial, yet still restricted, campaign.
Israel launched the ground offensive on Tuesday, crossing a short distance over the border for what it described as the first publicly acknowledged ground operation in Lebanon since the conflict escalated. The military had previously revealed that special forces have been conducting ground raids for months, targeting Hezbollah positions, uncovering tunnels, and locating weapons caches hidden in residential areas.
Despite the reinforcement of troops, the IDF reiterated that the operation is focused primarily on destroying Hezbollah’s tunnels and military infrastructure near the border, with no immediate plans to extend the incursion to major cities such as Beirut or other urban areas in southern Lebanon.
