The Israel Defense Forces has officially initiated ground operations in southern Lebanon, marking a major milestone in the campaign to push Hezbollah terror forces away from northern Israeli communities.

The Israeli military confirmed on Monday that in recent days, troops from the 91st Division began “limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in Southern Lebanon.”

The military stated that this activity is aimed at enhancing the forward defense area. These operations include the systematic dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, aiming to remove threats and create “an additional layer of security for the residents of northern Israel,” the IDF stated.