Israel Informs US That Ground Operations Against Hezbollah Are Limited, According to State Department

By Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON – Israel has informed the United States that it is undertaking limited ground operations aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, close to the Israeli border, according to the State Department on Monday.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, "This is what they have informed us that they are currently conducting, which are limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border." When asked if these were indeed limited ground operations, he responded, "That is our understanding."

On Monday, signs emerged indicating that Israel might be on the brink of deploying ground troops into Lebanon, two weeks into its offensive against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, which included the assassination of its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the deployment of Israeli troops could signal an imminent ground incursion.

Following two weeks of extensive airstrikes and a series of Hezbollah commander assassinations, Israel has increasingly hinted at a forthcoming land invasion.

The Israeli strikes on militant targets in Lebanon are part of a broader conflict that spans the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as well as Iranian-supported groups in Yemen and Iraq. This escalation has heightened concerns that the United States and Iran may become more deeply involved in the fighting.

Miller reiterated that the United States continues to advocate for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah but added that military pressure can sometimes facilitate diplomatic efforts. However, he also warned that such pressure could lead to miscalculations and unintended consequences.