Israel to 'advance targeted ground operations' in Lebanon

Israel is escalating its military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon with ground forces after weeks of airstrikes, having already destroyed key bridges connecting the southern region to the rest of the country. The campaign has killed over 1,000 people and wounded at least 2,700, with Israeli officials signaling the offensive is in its early stages. The operation targets Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group and political party that has traded fire with Israel across their shared border for months. Critics have characterized the expanding strikes and ground advance as collective punishment against Lebanon's civilian population. The conflict represents a significant escalation in the broader regional tensions involving Israel, Iran-backed militant groups, and their respective allies.