ISTANBUL

The Israeli army announced Monday that its troops have begun limited and targeted ground operations against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.

Forces from the 91st Division launched the operations to “strengthen” the forward defense zone along Israel’s northern border, the army said through US social media company X.

The military said the activity is part of “broader defensive efforts” aimed at establishing and reinforcing a forward defensive posture.

Those operations include dismantling the Lebanese group Hezbollah's infrastructure and eliminating its members operating in the area, to remove threats and add another layer of security for residents of northern Israel, the army added.

Before troops entered the area, Israeli forces targeted many Hezbollah positions with artillery and airstrikes carried out by the Israeli Air Force to reduce threats in the operational environment, it said.

The military also noted that it will continue operating against Hezbollah, which it accused of joining the hostilities under what it described as the sponsorship of Iran’s government.