Middle East crisis deepens as Israeli ground forces reach deepest point in Lebanon
-
Salma Hossein
- . November 16, 2024
- . Update: November 16, 2024 9:31 pm
Israeli troops just reached their deepest point in Lebanon since October 1, before pulling back early on Saturday after fighting a fierce battle against Hezbollah militants, according to a report by the Lebanese state media.
The state-run agency also reported that Israeli ground forces captured a strategic hill in Chamaa, before being pushed back from the hill. It added that the troops detonated numerous homes before they had to leave, but the claim could not be immediately verified.
In a statement, the Israeli military said that it had been continuing its “limited, localised and targeted” operation in southern Lebanon. The increase in attacks comes as Lebanese and Hezbollah officials study a draft proposal presented by the US to end the conflict.
Since late September, Israel has dramatically escalated its military operation in neighbouring Lebanon as its military promises to cripple Hezbollah. The bombardment has already killed more than 3,400 people in Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry.
There is also a push to end the Gaza crisis. On Thursday, the UN Security Council’s 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an “immediate, unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza.
