Israeli army struggles to secure ground in southern Lebanon after 3-week incursion

​​​​​​​By Stephanie Rady

BEIRUT (AA) - The Israeli army has been conducting ground assaults in southern Lebanon for three weeks but a three-pronged offensive has not achieved any of its objectives.

Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced Sept. 30 the commencement of "limited and intense" operations aimed at targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the region. Tens of thousands of soldiers from five divisions have since attempted to penetrate Lebanese territory from three axes.

Despite those efforts, Lebanese officials report that the Israeli army has failed to secure control of any areas in southern Lebanon.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati noted that the Israeli army is conducting hit-and-run attacks on border villages.

“The enemy has not fully controlled any village, and there are enough resistance fighters on the frontlines,” said Hezbollah Member of Parliament Hassan Fadlallah.

The Israeli army has maintained complete secrecy about its operations in Lebanon, issuing limited reports of losses during fighting with the Lebanese group.

- Battlefronts

Israeli forces continue to engage Hezbollah across multiple fronts. In the east, assaults are focused on Rab Selis, Al-Adisa, Al-Tayibe and Kafr Kila.

Attacks are concentrated in the central region in Yaroun, Marun al-Ras, Blida, Mays al-Jabal and Ita al-Shaab, while assaults in the west target Nakura, Al-Labouneh and Ramyeh.

Hezbollah announced that the first border clash occurred Oct. 2 in the town of Al-Adisa where Israeli forces were repelled with heavy losses.

Since then, Hezbollah has frequently reported the destruction of Israeli military vehicles and the deaths of Israeli soldiers, with Tel Aviv confirming only some of the losses.

- Israeli attacks on UNIFIL forces draw international criticism

The army’s attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have sparked international condemnation.

UNIFIL operates between the Litani River in southern Lebanon and the Blue Line, which serves as the border with Israel, as part of its mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to maintain security in the region.

Despite Israeli claims that its operations in southern Lebanon target Hezbollah, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti reported that since Oct. 8, Israeli forces have carried out deliberate attacks on the mission’s positions in Nakura, Al-Labouneh and Ramyeh. Tenenti emphasized that despite Israel's intentional attacks, UNIFIL remains committed to staying in Lebanon as she rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand for a withdrawal of the mission’s troops.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it said are Hezbollah targets in an escalation in a year-long cross-border skirmish between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.

At least 2,574 people have been killed and more than 12,000 injured in Israeli attacks since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Merve Berker in Ankara