Israel "Starting limited ground operations"...The Middle East's escalation crisis is at its peak.

[Anchor]
Israeli forces have launched limited ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

It is the first time in 18 years that Israel has deployed ground forces since 2006.

Although limited, the Middle East's escalation crisis is at its peak as ground fighting begins.

I'm connecting with the reporter. Reporter Jang Ayoung!

Israel's ground operation began around 6 a.m. in our time. Is there anything known about the local situation?

[Reporter]
Nothing is yet known about the progress of the ground operation.

You're looking at the situation on Lebanon's southern border, filmed by the Associated Press,

There are many kinds of explosions continuing throughout the pitch-dark border.

Foreign media say the Israeli military is supporting ground operations by mobilizing helicopters, drones, and mortars.

Earlier, the Israeli military officially declared the start of ground operations at around 8 a.m. in our time.

In an official statement, it said it had launched limited and local raids targeting Hezbollah's targets on Lebanon's southern border.

However, it has not yet mentioned the specific duration, scale, or scope of the operation.

Earlier, Hezbollah claimed Israeli troops crossing the Lebanese border were spotted and attacked by Lebanese militias.

Arab media, including Al Jazeera, also reported that Israeli military tanks had entered several Lebanese border villages.

There were also moves by Lebanese forces in relation to this.

The troops at the border were reportedly withdrawn 5km rearward and re-deployed.

Earlier, after hours of discussion, Israel's security cabinet reportedly approved the next stage of military operations.

[Anchor]
It's been 18 years since Israeli forces have sent ground troops into Lebanon, but it doesn't seem to be an all-out invasion yet,

[Reporter]
It's still difficult to tell you definitively.

However, combining several reports, as you said, it seems difficult to see it as a full-scale invasion yet.

The Israeli military also stressed in its official statement that it was a limited and local operation.

Israeli media also reported that the goal of the operation was to remove the infrastructure used by Hezbollah's special forces.

The United States, which was informed of the operation in advance, also stressed in a briefing that it was a limited operation.

[Anchor]
Apart from ground warfare, Israel continues to conduct intense airstrikes on surrounding areas?

[Reporter]
First of all, we are continuing airstrikes in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

Local media said there had been at least six airstrikes in southern Beirut, where Hezbollah's head, Nasrallah, was killed not long ago.

There were also airstrikes near a Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon in the south.

Al Jazeera reported that at least five people were killed because of this.

Israeli forces have also reportedly attacked the Syrian capital of Damascus, but the exact damage has yet to be reported.

[Anchor]
Tensions in the Middle East are at their peak, and the U.S. has deployed additional troops to the Middle East.

[Reporter]
The U.S. Department of Defense has officially announced that it will send thousands more U.S. troops to the Middle East.

If additional troops are deployed, the size of the U.S. military in the Middle East, which is currently around 40,000, is said to be up to 43,000.

Additional troops reportedly included battalions of F-15 and F-16 fighters and support personnel.

The U.S. earlier announced its plan to maintain two carrier fleets overall by extending the stationing period of the Lincoln aircraft carrier fleet currently in the Middle East.

[Anchor]
Such a U.S. military move would be in preparation for the possibility of Hezbollah as well as other forces in the Middle East attacking Israel, what are the prospects for the future?

[Reporter]
As you said, it is clear that the war against Hezbollah has taken a new turn as ground forces are deployed.

Hezbollah's power has weakened significantly, but it has already predicted several battles, so there is a possibility that fierce battles will continue.

Other Islamic forces in the Middle East, sponsored by Iran, could launch a full-fledged counterattack.

In fact, just before the ground operation began, a U.S. military base in Baghdad, Iraq, was attacked by at least two rockets.

However, the rocket was reportedly shot down by air defense.

Iran, which holds the key to all-out war, may also be forced to intervene in earnest.

For this reason, the United States, which has been informed of limited ground warfare, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire.
U.S. President Biden reaffirmed his opposition to ground fighting, saying, "We need to make a ceasefire now."

The Japanese government also expressed serious concern about Israel's launch of a ground war and called for an immediate ceasefire.

I'll tell you again as soon as I get more detailed news.

So far, I'm Ytn Jang Ayoung in the international department.