Tel Aviv, March 16 -- The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have officially announced the commencement of "limited and targeted ground operations" against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the IDF confirmed that the manoeuvre is "aimed at enhancing the forward defence area."

This initial phase is part of a "broader defensive effort to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture," which specifically targets the "dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area."

Further detailing the tactical deployment, a second post, originally shared in Hebrew by the IDF's offic...