Israel launched a land invasion of Lebanon

The Israeli army has launched a land invasion of southern Lebanon. Lebanese troops are leaving their positions in the south of the country and retreating 5 km inland. For now, TsAKHAL is advancing without resistance.

The Israeli army entered Lebanese territory, local media reported, calling the events the Third Lebanon War. Israel wants to create a 20-kilometer safe zone (buffer zone) on the border.

Israeli armored vehicles are crossing the border with Lebanon from Metula area. Also, the ranks of TsAXAL are removing the border barriers in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese troops withdrew from their positions on the country's southern border with Israel five kilometers north of the border, a Lebanese security source told Reuters.

The withdrawal comes amid growing signs of an Israeli ground invasion of southern Lebanon. In turn, a Lebanese military official told AFP that the Lebanese army is not retreating, but is "regrouping and redeploying troops on the southern border."

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Israel had notified the United States of a series of limited ground operations in Lebanon.