2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon

2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon
Part of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present) and the Israeli–Lebanese conflict
Israel   Attested Hezbollah presence in Lebanon   Lebanese territory under Israeli control   Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Ghajar   Syria   Areas ordered evacuated by Israel See here for a more detailed map
Date 1 October 2024 – present (1 month and 1 week) Location Southern Lebanon Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Israel	Hezbollah Allies: Amal Movement Houthi movement Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Palestinian Islamic Jihad Islamic Resistance in Iraq Lebanon UNIFIL
Commanders and leaders
Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Katz Herzi Halevi Ori Gordin Guy Levi Elad Tzuri Yeftah Norkin	Naim Qassem Hashem Safieddine X Maurice Sleem Joseph Aoun Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz Chok Bahadur Dhakal Jean-Jacques Fatinet Axel Schulz Mochammad Ghoffar Ngismangil
Units involved
List of units: Israel Defense Forces Israeli Ground Forces  36th Division 1st Infantry Brigade 6th Infantry Brigade 7th Armored Brigade 188th Armored Brigade 282nd Artillery Brigade 91st Division 3rd Infantry Brigade 8th Armored Brigade 228th Infantry Brigade 98th Division 35th Paratroopers Brigade 89th Oz Brigade Unit 621 (Egoz) Unit 5515  146th Division Carmeli Brigade 514th Armored Brigade 213th Artillery Brigade Yahalom Israeli Air Force Unit 669 Israeli Navy General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces Intelligence Directorate Unit 8200	List of units: Hezbollah military wing Redwan Force Imam Hussein Division Aziz Unit Nasser Unit Bader Unit Unit 4400 Engineering Corps Artillery Corps Amal military wing Al-Abbas Force   Yemeni Armed Forces (SPC) Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades Al-Quds Brigades Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba Lebanese Armed Forces Garuda Contingent
Strength
15,000 Per Hezbollah: 70,000+ soldiers 100+ military vehicles	20,000–100,000 80,000 10,000
Casualties and losses
Per IDF: 47 soldiers killed 156 soldiers injured Per Hezbollah: 95+ soldiers killed 900+ soldiers injured 42 Merkava tanks destroyed 4 military bulldozers destroyed Per Al Jazeera: 900+ soldiers injured	Per IDF: 2,000+ Hezbollah fighters killed 8 surrendered Thousands injured 80% of pre-war Hezbollah rockets and missiles destroyed Per Lebanon: 7 Lebanese Army soldiers killed 28 medics killed(including medics affiliated with Hezbollah) 40 search and rescue personnel killed Per UNIFIL: 25 UN peacekeepers wounded
1.2 million Lebanese civilians displaced

On 1 October 2024, Israel invaded Southern Lebanon in an escalation of the ongoing Israel–Hezbollah conflict, a spillover of the Israel–Hamas war. The conflict marked Israel's fourth invasion of Lebanon since 1978.

It followed a series of major attacks on Hezbollah in September that degraded its capabilities and devastated its leadership, beginning with the explosions of its communication devices. This was followed by a massive Israeli aerial bombing campaign throughout Lebanon, killing over 800 Lebanese people in one week. On 27 September, Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike.

On 30 September, Israel declared parts of its northern border with Lebanon as closed military zones. At the start of the invasion, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) withdrew from parts of the Blue Line. Israel said it aimed to take out Hezbollah's forces and infrastructure that could pose a threat to civilian communities in northern Israel. Hezbollah said it aimed to pressure Israel by forcing it to fight on two fronts.

The ground campaign marks the fifth invasion of Lebanese territory by Israel, following incursions of varying scale in 1948, 1978, 1982 and 2006.

Background

Main articles: Israel–Hamas war, Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present), 2024 Lebanon pager explosions, Assassination of Ibrahim Aqil, September 2024 Lebanon strikes, and 2024 Hezbollah headquarters strike

The last time Israel invaded southern Lebanon and engaged in ground combat with Hezbollah was during the month-long 2006 Lebanon War.

According to security expert Sobelman, Israel had spent two decades preparing for the next war with Hezbollah.

Shortly after the onset of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023, Hezbollah joined the conflict, citing solidarity with Palestinians, which quickly escalated into regular cross-border military exchanges impacting areas in or around northern Israel, southern Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights of Syria. Hezbollah said it aimed to pressure Israel by forcing it to fight on two fronts. Hezbollah has offered an immediate ceasefire should a ceasefire also happen in Gaza. From 8 October 2023 to 20 September 2024, Hezbollah has launched 1,900 cross border attacks, and Israel has launched another 8,300. The fighting killed 564 in Lebanon (including 133 civilians), and 52 in Israel (including 27 civilians), displaced entire communities in Israel and Lebanon, with significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

Israel requested that Hezbollah implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (UNSCR 1701) and withdraw its forces north of the Litani River. Hezbollah has stated it will continue attacking Israel until Israel halts its operations in Gaza. Both Israel and Hezbollah have outstanding obligations under UNSCR 1701. Hezbollah has established strong military presence in southern Lebanon, storing rockets in civilian sites, building tunnels into Israel, and obstructing United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) access. Israel continues to occupy Ghajar and an adjacent area, and has repeatedly breached Lebanese airspace, waters, and borders. UNIFIL reports that Israel entered Lebanese airspace on more than 22,000 occasions between 2007 and 2021. Diplomatic efforts, led by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and France, have so far been unsuccessful in resolving the conflict.

September 2024 escalation

On 15 September, leaflets bearing an IDF logo were observed in southern Lebanon. They contained the text, "Hezbollah is firing from your area", urging residents to relocate north and to refrain from returning "until the war is over". The IDF said that they were distributed without senior authorisation and that the incident was being investigated.

On 17 and 18 September, thousands of Hezbollah's handheld pagers and walkie-talkies exploded in a coordinated series of attacks. The explosions killed 42 people and injured at least 3,500, including civilians. Reuters reported that, according to an unnamed Hezbollah official, 1,500 Hezbollah fighters were taken out of action due to injuries, with many blinded or having lost their hands. Despite Israel denying involvement with the attack, unnamed Israeli sources told Reuters and other media that it was orchestrated by Israel's intelligence service (Mossad) and military. In response, Hezbollah, who described the attack as a possible declaration of war by Israel, launched a rocket attack on northern Israel a few days later.

On 20 September, tensions further rose after Ibrahim Aqil was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut, along with other senior commanders from the unit.

People in southern Lebanon and Beirut received mobile phone calls and messages that told them to relocate. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a video address, "We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately evacuate for their own safety".

The IDF began a series of airstrikes on 23 September, killing over 800 and injuring more than 5,000 in the first week.

On 27 September 2024, Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, and several other senior Hezbollah leaders, including Ali Karaki, commander of Hezbollah's southern front, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The strike took place while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at a headquarters located underground beneath residential buildings in Haret Hreik in the Dahieh suburb to the south of Beirut.

Previous Israeli raids

On 1 October, the IDF revealed that its special forces had carried out more than 70 small covert raids into southern Lebanon since November 2023, but had not clashed with Hezbollah fighters during these raids. The IDF said it had uncovered Hezbollah tunnels, weaponry, and invasion plans in villages near the border, including Ayta ash Shab, Meiss Ej Jabal and Kafr Kila. IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari said they found Hezbollah plans to launch an attack similar to Hamas' 7 October attacks, which sparked the ongoing conflict. Hagari also mentioned that evidence from these operations, including videos and maps, would be presented to the international community. Hezbollah has not commented on his claims. Hagari alleged that the group was preparing for an attack similar to the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel.

Preparations

On 30 September, Israel informed the United States that it intended to carry out a ground maneuver in Lebanon aimed at clearing Hezbollah's militant infrastructure along the border. That evening, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) withdrew from the Israeli-Lebanese border to the north to a distance of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi; 2.7 nmi) from the border, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared that the communities of Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi are a closed military area. Since then the LAF has reported an incident of fire exchange with the IDF. IDF troops were amassing on the border in Southern Lebanon, with Israel stating that they were preparing for a limited ground operation, with no intentions for long-term occupation.

Timeline

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict (17 September 2024 – present).

1 October

Main articles: 2024 Odaisseh clashes, 2024 Ayta al-Shaab clashes, and 2024 Kafr Kila clashes

Map at the start of the invasion

On 1 October, IDF troops crossed the border into Lebanon in a series of small scale raids intended to precede a broader ground incursion. Witnesses have said that they have heard sounds of tanks in Southern Lebanon. There were also reports of heavy artillery striking the border towns of Southern Lebanon. On 1 October, the IDF confirmed the existence of their ground operation in a statement on Telegram, specifying that they intended to strike Hezbollah infrastructure. Shortly after the release of this statement, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari also confirmed the operation. Prior to the release of these statements, the IDF had made no announcements about the operation. The IDF ordered residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to immediately relocate to north of the Awali River.

IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that heavy fighting was taking place in southern Lebanon with Hezbollah. He warned residents to not move in vehicles from north of Litani River to south of the river. The IDF also said that projectiles were launched to Avivim and Metula. However, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said they were not yet fighting Hezbollah face-to-face. Another Israeli military official said that they had not yet clashed with Hezbollah on the ground, and that IDF troops had so far been operating in villages only hundreds of meters across the border. Hezbollah denied that Israeli troops had entered Lebanon.

The IDF claimed that in coordination with the Intelligence Division, IDF forces led by the Northern Command and special forces had captured Hezbollah infrastructure in the towns of Kafr Kila, Ayta ash Shab, Meiss Ej Jabal amongst other sites and destroyed the facilities after they were abandoned after the retreat of Hezbollah. Hezbollah also claimed that it had targeted IDF soldiers in towns opposite of Odaisseh and Kafr Kila.

The IAF struck 100 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon while soldiers of the Northern Command destroyed several military sites and weapons.

An Israeli strike on a house in Al-Dawoudiya killed at least ten people and injured five others.

Retaliation by Hezbollah

Hezbollah launched ten rockets from southern Lebanon to Israel and a drone towards central Israel. Hezbollah said that it targeted IDF sites, Israeli communities and soldiers with 12 separate strikes. Three rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Upper Galilee. Hezbollah said that it targeted Israeli soldiers in Metula with rockets and artillery.

"A number of" rockets were launched from Lebanon to Israel, moderately injuring two people. Hezbollah said that it targeted Unit 8200 headquarters in Tel Aviv with Fadi-4 rockets and Mossad headquarters in the suburbs of Tel Aviv. Approximately 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel. Hezbollah said that its missiles targeted Sde Dov, an airport and airbase in the outskirts of Tel Aviv that was closed and demolished more than 4 years before the attack.

Israeli strikes elsewhere

The IDF called for evacuations of at least 500 meters from particular buildings with Hezbollah facilities in parts of southern Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, as they were preparing to bomb them. The IDF conducted at least two airstrikes in Dahieh. The IDF claimed that Muhammad Jaafar Qasir, a Hezbollah commander responsible for transferring Iranian weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, was killed in an airstrike in Beirut. The IDF said that it killed the commander of Hezbollah's Imam Hussein division in an airstrike in Beirut.

An Israeli strike on the house of Munir al-Maqdah, a brigadier general of Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Lebanon in Ein al-Hilweh refugee camp killed at least five people.

Syrian military sources said that Israel struck two Syrian anti-aircraft radar stations west of Sweida and a Syrian anti-aircraft radar station in Daraa Governorate.

Iranian strikes on Israel

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched at least 181 missiles toward Israel, with at least one building being hit in Tel Aviv. The attack was in response to the assassination of Abbas Nilforoushan, Hassan Nasrallah and Ismail Haniyeh. At least two Israelis were injured in Tel Aviv and a Palestinian was killed by shrapnel in Nu'eima, West Bank.

2 October

Command center of the 98th Paratroopers Division during the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon

On 2 October, Hezbollah claimed that IDF troops were ambushed by Hezbollah fighters in Odaisseh and forced to retreat while attempting to dismantle militant infrastructure. Six soldiers from the Egoz Unit were killed in the clash and several others were injured, including five seriously. The IDF said that another 20 Hezbollah militants were killed during the clash.

More forces from the IDF 36th Division entered southern Lebanon including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, the Etzioni Reserve Brigade and the 282nd Artillery Brigade.

Hezbollah fired around 100 rockets at northern Israel. Hezbollah said that it targeted areas north of Haifa using missiles. It also targeted Shtula and Israeli infantry in Misgav Am.

Beirut suburbs strike

Main article: Battle of Maroun al-Ras (2024)

Israeli aircraft struck the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israeli soldiers from the 98th division's two Brigades managed to capture a Hezbollah installation in southern Lebanon capturing a large cache of weaponry, ammunition amongst other things as well as claiming to have captured/destroyed 150 Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon in coordination with IAF.

Hezbollah engaged Israeli soldiers entering Maroun al-Ras from its eastern side claiming to have inflicted several casualties amongst the Israelis. The LAF said that an IDF force crossed the Blue Line in the areas of Khirbet Yaroun and Odaisseh and claimed they retreated after an incursion of about 400m. The IDF announced that the IAF struck 150 Hezbollah sites since the ground offensive began. A LAF soldier was injured in an IDF drone strike while one of its units was working to open a road at the entrance of Kawkaba.

Hezbollah claimed that it killed or injured Israeli soldiers trying to circumvent Yaroun by detonating an explosive device.

Hezbollah fired 40 rockets at Safed and several drones at the Upper Galilee.

After the airstrike, Beirut residents reported a sulphur-like smell. The National News Agency reported that Israel had used phosphorus bombs in the heavily populated Bashoura district. According to Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the use of phosphorus bombs in civilian areas is prohibited.

Deaths and injuries

The IDF announced the death of nine soldiers during combat in southern Lebanon. IDF also claimed that since the start of invasion, 50 Hezbollah militants have been killed, with thirty of them being killed in a single battle with the Egoz unit. Moreover, thirty Israeli soldiers were wounded, including seven seriously which were evacuated by Unit 669.

Hezbollah claimed destroying three Israeli Merkava tanks with guided missiles as they approached Maroun al-Ras.

Damascus drone strike

Syrian state media reported that at least three civilians were killed and three injured in an Israeli drone strike in Damascus. The strike killed the brother of the commander of Hezbollah's Unit 4400, who was also killed the day prior.

Hezbollah claimed to have killed or injured all members of an Israeli infantry unit sheltering in a home outside Kafr Kila by detonating an explosive device in the house and targeting it using bullets and rocket-propelled grenades. Hezbollah said that it targeted Israeli soldiers in Ya'ara with rockets.

Beirut health facility strike

Main article: October 2024 central Beirut medical center airstrike

An Israeli airstrike on a Hezbollah-affiliated health facility a kilometre away from the Lebanese Parliament in central Beirut killed nine people, including seven paramedics, and injured 14 other people.

3 October

Attack on Lebanese army and response

The LAF stated that the IDF targeted an army post in the Bint Jbeil area, and the LAF — for the first time in the invasion — fired back at the IDF. One LAF soldier was killed. Another LAF soldier was killed and four Lebanese Red Cross medics and another LAF soldier were injured in an Israeli strike in Taybeh while they were working on a rescue and evacuation mission.

The LAF said that one of its soldiers was killed in an Israeli strike on a military outpost in Bint Jbeil. It also said that its soldiers responded to the sources of fire.

Hezbollah strikes

Two drones targeted Bat Yam in central Israel, one of which was shot down and the other hit an open area.

Hezbollah said that it launched surface-to-air missiles targeting an IDF helicopter flying above Beit Hillel claiming that it forced it to retreat. Approximately 25 rockets and two drones were launched from Lebanon towards Israel.

Hezbollah launched more than a dozen of strikes on Israeli targets. Hezbollah claimed to have killed or wounded a group of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Maroun al-Ras by detonating two explosive devices.

Hezbollah fired ten rockets at the Lower Galilee, causing no casualties.

Hezbollah claimed that it detonated a Sejil bomb at IDF forces in Yaroun, causing casualties. It also claimed to have launched a missile against a Merkava tank in Netu'a, while a rocket salvo targeted Israeli troops in Al-Thaghra in the outskirts of Odaisseh.

Hezbollah fired 100 Katyusha rockets, six Falaq rockets and mortars at Metula. Hezbollah said that it targeted Safed and Kafr Giladi using rockets.

According to Hezbollah, six IDF infiltration attempts into southern Lebanon were repelled by its forces.

Casualties

Two Belgian journalists were wounded in Beirut. A US resident was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

The IDF announced the death of two soldiers killed in combat. Hezbollah stated that it had killed 17 IDF soldiers on 3 October.

The World Health Organization said that 28 health care workers were killed in Lebanon over the past 24 hours. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said that 40 paramedics and firefighters including emergency personnel from organisations affiliated with Hezbollah were killed in Lebanon in three days.

Israeli strikes

The IAF struck Hezbollah intelligence and communications sites in Beirut.

An Israeli strike on the municipality building in Bint Jbeil killed 15 people. The IDF said that Hezbollah fighters were killed and the building was used by Hezbollah to store weapons.

An Israeli airstrike on a building in southern Lebanon, around the area where soldiers from the Golani Brigade were operating, killed a Hezbollah field commander.

An IRGC adviser died from wounds he sustained from an Israeli airstrike in Damascus three days prior.

Personnel of the Golani Brigade attacked a military site where Hezbollah commanders were staying and captured the building. A commander of the Hezbollah Artillery Corps, a commander of the Hezbollah Engineering Corps and a local Redwan Force commander were killed in the battle.

IDF claims

The IDF said that it struck 15 Hezbollah sites in Beirut, including weapon depots and manufacturing sites.

In total, IDF claimed to have killed more than 100 Hezbollah militants since the start of the war.

Dahieh airstrike

Main article: October 2024 Dahieh airstrike

Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who was expected to succeed Nasrallah as the group's secretary-general following his assassination, was reportedly targeted by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. It was unclear whether Safieddine had been killed. Hezbollah said it had lost contact with Safieddine after the strike.

4 October

Masnaa Border Crossing strike

The IDF halted traffic at the Masnaa Border Crossing between Syria and Lebanon by striking "vital transportation infrastructure" using two missiles. The IDF had alleged that the border crossing was being used by Hezbollah for transferring weapons from Syria to Lebanon one day prior to the strike.

Hezbollah strikes

Hezbollah said that it targeted Haifa using rockets. A rocket launched from Lebanon fell in Upper Galilee area causing a forest fire. About 50 instances of rockets or shrapnel falling were reported in Metula in the past 24 hours. Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets towards Israel. Hezbollah claimed to have struck a group of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Maroun al-Ras plain. Hezbollah said that it launched a missile strike on the Nafah IDF base in the Golan Heights and it also said that it targeted the Kfar Jalaadi. The IDF said that it struck Hezbollah weapons warehouses and infrastructure, including its intelligence headquarters in Beirut.

Casualties

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that four health workers were killed in an Israeli drone strike in the vicinity of a government hospital in Marjayoun.

The IDF said that over 250 Hezbollah fighters were killed in southern Lebanon since it began its ground offensive, including 21 field commanders.

Hezbollah said that at least 20 Israeli elite soldiers were killed or wounded in clashes in a Lebanese village.

Israeli control in Lebanon

Israel claimed operational control of "multiple" Shi'ite villages in southern Lebanon.

Golani Brigade personnel operating in Southern Lebanon on 4 October

5 October

Hezbollah strikes

On 5 October 2024, Hezbollah claimed to have hit an Israeli Merkava tank as it was advancing in the Maroun al-Ras forest area using a guided anti-armor missile, resulting in casualties.

Hezbollah claimed that it launched rockets targeting Israeli soldiers in Khallet Ubair village in Yaroun, as well as on Kafrioufel and Kfar Giladi in northern Israel.

Hezbollah said that it launched at least seven strikes on IDF soldiers including launching Fadi 1 missiles targeting Ramat David IDF base and launching rockets targeting IDF soldiers in the vicinity of the border.

Israeli strikes

An Israeli strike on a mosque in Bint Jbeil also hit nearby Salah Ghandour Hospital injuring nine of its medical staff. The IDF said that it targeted Hezbollah fighters in a command center embedded inside the mosque without providing evidence.

IDF stated that it had started pouring cement into Hezbollah tunnels to make them unusable.

President of France Emmanuel Macron called for a halt on arms deliveries to Israel, which Netanyahu condemned. In an apparent retaliation of this, the IDF blew up a gas station in Beirut owned by the French petroleum company TotalEnergies. The explosion resulted in a large fire, but no injuries were reported.

Casualties

A female Red Cross volunteer from Baalbek died of a head injury sustained in an Israeli airstrike. A missile hit in the vicinity of a paramedic team to prevent them from reaching the site of a bigger strike in a Beirut suburb.

Hamas confirmed the death of Saeed Atallah Ali, one of its military officials, along with his wife and two young daughters in an Israeli drone strike in Beddawi refugee camp.

A Hezbollah rocket attack lightly injured three people in Deir al-Asad and caused damage in Karmiel.

6 October

Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.

The Lebanese Education Ministry announced that 40% of the 1.25 million students in Lebanon had been displaced by the Israeli invasion and bombings.

7 October

Hezbollah strikes

On the anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, Hezbollah fired several rockets at northern Israel, wounding at least 10 people in Haifa and another in Tiberias. Alerts were activated in Upper Galilee after 15 rockets were detected. The IDF announced the deaths of two soldiers in combat in the past 24 hours, on the Lebanese border, while another two were seriously injured.

Israeli strikes

An Israeli airstrike on a fire station affiliated with the Islamic Health Authority in Baraachit killed ten firefighters.

8 October

Israeli Merkava tank in southern Lebanon on 8 October

The IDF was filmed raising the Israeli flag in Maroun al-Ras, seemingly indicating they had captured the village. However, according to UNIFIL, IDF troops there later withdrew from Maroun al-Ras to unknown positions. Lebanese fishermen were forced to keep their boats ashore after Israel warned that it would expand its operations against Hezbollah to coastal areas south of Sidon.

9 October

Hezbollah-affiliated sources stated the IDF had withdrawn from Odaisseh and Kfar Kila. Netanyahu released an address to the government and people of Lebanon in English, saying that the country would face "destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza" if they did not rise up against Hezbollah. IDF reported the death of one soldier during clashes in south Lebanon.

Rescuers searching through ruins of the Melkite Church in Derdghaya after an Israeli strike on 10 October

Derdghaya Melkite Church airstrike

See also: October 2024 Derdghaya Melkite Church airstrike

Israel struck a church of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Tyre that was being used to shelter displaced people in Derdghaya, killing at least eight people.

10 October

Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers

See also: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon § Attacks on UNIFIL bases

Deployment of UNIFIL forces, 2018

UNIFIL stated that the IDF had fired upon three peacekeeper positions, one being fired at on 9 October and two others being fired upon on 10 October. In one of the incidents, two were injured after a tank had shot at an observation tower, causing them to fall. No peacekeepers were harmed in the other two incidents.

Bachoura airstrike

Main article: October 2024 Bachoura airstrike

Israeli airstrikes in two densely-populated neighborhoods in Bachoura in central Beirut killed at least 22 Lebanese people and injured another 117. Israel said it was targeting Wafiq Safa, Hezbollah's liaison with Lebanon's security agencies. Safa survived the attack. This was the deadliest strike on Beirut since the start of the post-2023 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, leveling an apartment building and destroying nearby cars and building interiors. A US-made munition was used in the attack.

11 October

Main article: 2024 Ramyah clashes

On the night of 11 October 2024, UNIFIL reported receiving "significant damage" to its buildings in Ramyah due to explosions from nearby shelling.

Israeli attack on Lebanese military checkpoint

According to the Lebanese army, an Israeli airstrike hit a building near a military checkpoint in Kafra, Bint Jbeil District in southern Lebanon, killing two LAF soldiers and wounding three other Lebanese troops.

12 October

Israeli strikes

Nine people are killed and 24 are wounded in Israeli strikes on the Lebanese villages of Maaysrah, in the mountains north of Beirut, and Barja, south of Beirut.

Israel also struck the central commercial area of Nabatieh in the south. The Lebanese Red Cross said it was initially unable to reach the area of the strike due to large fires from the blast.

Gunfire and explosions near UNIFIL facilities

A UNIFIL press release stated that "Last night, a peacekeeper at UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura was hit by gunfire due to ongoing military activity nearby." The statement also referred to buildings in their UN positions receiving "significant damage due to explosions from nearby shelling" in a separate incident in Ramyah.

13 October

Israeli attack on Ramyah UNIFIL post

Main article: Israeli attack on Ramyah UNIFIL post

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for UNIFIL peacekeepers to immediately withdraw from Lebanon, calling them "human shields" for Hezbollah. Later in the day, two Israeli tanks destroyed the main gate of a UNIFIL post in Ramyah and forcibly entered the post. Two hours later, the IDF fired rounds into the camp that caused smoke to rise, injuring 15 UNIFIL peacekeepers due to skin irritations and gastrointestinal reactions. A report by one of the countries providing troops to UNIFIL said that the smoke was suspected to be white phosphorus, the use of which is unlawful in populated areas under international law.

Drone attack on IDF base

Main article: 2024 Hezbollah drone strike on Binyamina

A Hezbollah drone attack on a gathering of IDF soldiers in Zar'it barracks in Binyamina killed at least four Israeli soldiers and wounded another 61.

14 October

Aitou airstrike

Main article: October 2024 Aitou airstrike

An Israeli airstrike hit the Maronite Christian town of Aitou in northern Lebanon, killing at least 21 and wounding eight.

15 October

The French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated he supported UNIFIL remaining in place in Lebanon, despite Israel's orders for them to leave.

Israeli strikes

Israel bombed homes and a healthcare center in Qana, which is notable for having previously experienced massacres in 1996 and 2006. At least 10 people died in the attacks, and 54 were injured.

16 October

Attack on Nabatieh municipal council

Main article: Attack on Nabatieh municipal council

Israel bombed a meeting of the municipal council of Nabatieh, killing at least 16 municipality staff, including the mayor, and injuring more than 52.

Hezbollah strikes

Hezbollah fired a barrage of 30 rockets towards Karmiel, wounding two Israelis in Upper Galilee.

Israeli attack on a UNIFIL watchtower

Israeli tanks fired at a UNIFIL watchtower in Kafr Kila. UNIFIL called the attack "deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position" and reported that the watchtower was damaged, along with two cameras.

Israeli destruction of the village of Mhaibib

Israeli Defence Forces released footage of them destroying a village. The Daily Telegraph reported that the village in the video was "confirmed to be Mhaibib by local officials". Al Jazeera also reported that the village was Mhaibib. In the same report, Al Jazeera published footage of soldiers they claimed were celebrating the destruction of the village, quoting the IDF as 'saying they were targeting "terrorist infrastructure."' Reuters connected an IDF statement that it had '"dismantled" a tunnel network used by Hezbollah's elite Radwan Forces in the heart of a town near the border with Israel' to the destruction of the village. While the three outlets quoted the IDF regarding "terrorist infrastructure", they did not suggest that they had independently corroborated the IDF's allegation.

Casualties

Five IDF soldiers were reported killed in combat in southern Lebanon.

17 October

The IDF confirmed that 5 soldiers had been killed in clashes with Hezbollah and 8 others were injured.

UNIFIL shoots down armed drone

A German warship operating as a part of UNIFIL shot down a drone of unknown origin in the Mediterranean Sea about 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of the Lebanese port of Naqoura. According to the German defense ministry, there was no damage to the warship and no injuries to its crew.

18 October

The IDF reported that a Israeli soldier died by wounds suffered in a 9 October attack in south Lebanon.

19 October

Sahel Alma airstrike

Main article: 2024 Sahel Alma airstrike

Israel bombed a car driving on the main Lebanese highway containing two people in Sahel Alma, part of the city of Jounieh. The two people ran out of the car into a nearby field before being killed in a subsequent blast.

Drone attack on Benjamin Nethanyahu's residence

Main article: 2024 drone attack on Benjamin Netanyahu's residence

A drone attack believed to have originated from Lebanon was made on the residence of Benjamin Netanyahu in the resort town Caesarea. Netanyahu was not in the residence at the time, and no casualties were reported. In response, Netanyahu stated that "the proxies of Iran who today tried to assassinate me and my wife made a bitter mistake." Iran has attributed the reported attack to Hezbollah, with the state-run IRNA news agency quoting Iran's mission to the UN saying: "The action in question has been carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon."

20 October

Destruction of observation tower in Marwahin

UNIFIL released a press statement stating that the IDF deliberately bulldozed a UNIFIL observation tower and perimeter fence in the Lebanese border town of Marwahin.

IDF strike on LAF soldiers

An IDF airstrike killed three LAF soldiers driving in a vehicle near an IDF area of operation.

21 October

A bomb hit a residential building across the street from the Rafik Hariri Univeristy hospital, killing at least 18, including four children, and injurying 60.

Clashes

Hezbollah and the IDF engaged in clashes in the villages of Aita Al-Shaab and Ramiya as the IDF attempted to advance into the villages.

22 October

Hezbollah rocket barrage

Hezbollah conducted a rocket barrage on Neot Mordechai in northern Israel, a 27-year-old IDF reservist from Tel Aviv was killed and three other soldiers were seriously wounded. Another soldier was killed in south Lebanon.

23 October

Air attacks on Dahieh resumed in what was called one of the worst nights of bombing in the neighborhood to date. Six buildings, including the offices of Al Mayadeen, were destroyed in seventeen raids.

Casualties

The IDF said that four of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, while six others were evacuated from Lebanon after being seriously wounded. Hezbollah said that its fighters have killed more than 70 Israeli soldiers.

24 October

Ayta al-Shaab clashes

On 24 October, Hezbollah reported that its fighters were engaged in ongoing "intense" clashes against IDF vehicles in Ayta al-Shaab. On the same day, Hezbollah said that it destroyed an Israeli tank with a guided missile, killing and wounding the soldiers inside.

Military casualties

5 IDF soldiers were killed and 19 IDF soldiers were wounded in a southern Lebanon village. According to the IDF, Hezbollah forces attacked the building in which the IDF troops were accepting logistics supplies.

26 October

According the Israeli Military, five IDF soldiers are killed in southern Lebanon. This brings the IDF's reported casualities up to 32 since 1 October, according to CNN.

IDF attack on UNIFIL observation post near Dhayra on 22 October

A UNIFIL press release on 25 October stated that IDF soldiers fired at an observation post near the town of Dhayra on 22 October 2024.

27 October

At least 8 people were killed and 25 wounded in an Israeli strike on the Haret Saida neighoorhood of Sidon.

28 October

Beqaa Valley airstrikes

Main article: 2024 Beqaa Valley airstrikes

The Lebanese Health Ministry reports that at least 60 people, including two children, were killed and 58 wounded in strikes on 12 areas of the Beqaa Valley. Israel bombs the southern towns of Rachaya al-Fakhar, Kfar Hamam, Alma ash-Shaab, and Naqoura with artillery shells.

29 October

An IDF soldier died of wounds suffered during battle the previous days.

30 October

Israeli strikes the historic city of Baalbek, killing 19 people, including 8 women. 20 strikes were reported in the area, five of which were in the city limits.

31 October

Hezbollah fired rockets at the Haifa region, killing two Israelis, while four Thai workers and one Israeli national were killed in Metula.

1 November

At least 52 Lebanese people are killed and 72 wounded in Israeli airstrikes in northeastern Lebanon.

2 November

Israeli kidnapping

Main article: November 2024 Batroun raid

The Israeli military claimed it had killed a commander of the Nasser Brigade rocket unit of Hezbollah, Jaafar Khader Faoura, and captured an unnamed "senior Hezbollah operative" from northern Lebanon and transported them into Israeli territory. The Lebanese government has stated that they will file a complaint to the United Nations Security Council in response to the abduction.

Hezbollah rocket attack

A rocket fired by Hezbollah injured 19 people in Tayibe in central Israel.

3 November

At least three people are killed and nine wounded in an Israeli strike in Haret Saida.

7 November

The IDF stated that five Israeli soldiers were killed and 16 others were wounded in combat in recent weeks. UNIFIL confirmed that five of its peacekeepers were injured by an Israeli airstrike on Sidon.

Impacts

On Lebanese healthcare system and health

According to a CNN analysis of verified Lebanese Health Ministry data, between 23 September and 23 October, Israeli airstrikes damaged 34 hospitals, hit 107 ambulances, and killed 111 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Lebanon. The analysis also found that Israel had dropped bombs within "lethal proximity", 340 metres (1,120 ft), of at least 19 hospitals and within 500 metres (1,600 ft) of 24 hospitals.

In a statement released on 16 October, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that "[Israeli] attacks on hospitals and health workers jeopardize provision of health in Lebanon," adding that "out of 207 primary health care centres and dispensaries in conflict-affected areas, 100 are now closed."

Early in the invasion, the near total closure of Beirut's airport prevented medical aid supply deliveries from the WHO.

During the invasion, hospitals in Lebanon have experienced an increase in patients with miscarriages, early births, and other pregnancy complications, as people have been forced to flee their homes.

At least one case of cholera has been confirmed in Lebanon, emerging from the poor sanitation and water conditions those displaced have been living in. The crowded shelters and public schools used to house the displaced population combined with the strained healthcare system have prompted fears of communicable disease outbreaks.

Reactions

Lebanese government

The government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) issued a statement stating they would not be getting involved in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, following a meeting between Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Joseph Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. The LAF withdrew some personnel from observation posts along the blue line, however, despite this, they have given no intention of withdrawing from territory south of the Litani River and have stated they will "respond to Israeli fire on its positions." Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, has offered to deploy the LAF along the Blue Line if Hezbollah withdraws to the Litani River.

Foreign Policy reported that "Lebanese and Western military officials as well as local politicians and notables" stated the LAF would stay out of the conflict "as long as it can" due to concerns that the LAF doesn't have the capability to win, or even credibly participate in fighting as the LAF only numbers 70,000 soldiers, many of whom also work other jobs, lacks any fighter jets and only owns outdated tanks. Instead the LAF is focusing on being a "police force" to keep the various internal factions within Lebanon at peace while Hezbollah and Israel fight. Additionally, the LAF has no intention of siding with Hezbollah, as that would cause all western arms shipments to the LAF to cease, since Hezbollah is recognized by the LAF's arms suppliers as a terrorist organization. However, the LAF is at risk of losing the position of "the only legitimate defender of Lebanon" to Hezbollah should it remain out of the conflict, which would only strengthen Hezbollah's internal support within Lebanon.

International community

• Canada: Started evacuating its nationals from Lebanon by reserving 800 passenger seats on available commercial flights. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said that "The security situation in Lebanon is becoming increasingly dangerous and volatile".
• China: The Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China opposes "the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity." China's embassy in Beirut announced on 2 October that it had evacuated over 200 Chinese citizens and their family members from Lebanon to China and Cyprus.
• Colombia: The Foreign Ministry of Colombia organized the evacution of 117 Colombians from Lebanon in Beirut by Colombia's Air Force while it was delivering humanitarian aide on 2 October. In a statement on the evacuations, the Foregin Ministry "reiterate[d] Colombia's rejection of any military action against innocent citizens and call[ed] for an immediate ceasefire".
• Denmark: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that she supports an international intervention to support the two-state solution and end the conflict.
• France: Deployed a naval warship off the coast of Lebanon to aid in the evacuation of its nationals, as well as sent humanitarian aid to Lebanon with the plane used on the way back to evacuate French citizens. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot traveled to Lebanon two days prior to the start of the invasion, stating France "stands with Lebanon" ahead of a war "it did not choose". On 8 October, he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rhetoric on Israel's military operations in Lebanon a "provocation".
• Ireland: Irish president Michael D. Higgins criticized Israel's actions as "outrageous" after it ordered an Irish UNIFIL peacekeeping unit to abandon their outpost in southern Lebanon.
• Italy: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that Italy would be willing to send troops to the UN for the establishment of a Palestinian state due to instability caused by the invasion.
• Jordan: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi talked to Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati and expressed Jordan's support for Lebanese sovereignty. Additionally, Abdullah II directed two aid planes to Lebanon.
• NATO: Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed hope that "hostilities will end as soon as possible".
• Oman: The Foreign Ministry of Oman released a statement saying "The Foreign Ministry expresses the Sultanate of Oman's condemnation and denunciation of the raids launched by the Israeli occupation forces on Lebanese territory." It also iterated Oman's "solidarity with the sisterly Lebanese Republic" and its "complete rejection of any violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territory".
• Qatar: Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held phone calls with Lebanon's army chief and prime minister expressing "deep concern" over the situation. Minister for international cooperation, Lolwah Alkhater has condemned the attack, stating on X that "A monster has been unleashed in our region".
• Russia: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is concerned with the recent escalation in Lebanon. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's invasion and called on Israel to "immediately cease hostilities, withdraw their troops from Lebanese territory and engage in a real search for peaceful ways to resolve the Middle East conflict."
• Turkey: The Foreign Ministry stated the attack violates Lebanon's sovereignty.
• United Arab Emirates: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it held "deep concern" about the situation, that it had "reaffirmed its unwavering position towards the unity of Lebanon, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity", and that President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had "directed the delivery of an urgent $100m relief package to the people of Lebanon".
• United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated the UK had chartered a commercial flight for its citizens wishing to leave Lebanon and that the flight would leave on 2 October from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport adding that "The safety of British citizens in Lebanon is our absolute priority". Prior to the start of the invasion, Lammy had called for a "an immediate ceasefire" and "a political solution".
• United States: During a 30 September press conference, President Joe Biden responded to a reporter's question on Israel's actions in Lebanon saying he was aware of Israel's plans, but "comfortable with them stopping", adding "we should have a ceasefire now." On 1 October however, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that the United States supported Israel's ground offensive. On 7 October, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the United States supports Israel's "ability to target militants, to degrade Hezbollah's infrastructure, to degrade Hezbollah's capability".
• European Union: On 14 October 2024 Spain and Ireland requested the European Commission to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement as human rights (article 2 of the Agreement) are being violated by Israel due to its invasion of Lebanon.

Evacuations

President Lula da Silva receiving repatriated Brazilian nationals from Lebanon on 6 October 2024. Brazil has the highest number of Lebanese descendants and expatriates in the world.

Since the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, many countries have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon and/or started evacuating them such as Australia, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In the case of the United States, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut announced on 27 September 2024 that it was "not evacuating U.S. citizens at this time." In response, U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib stated the State Department was "leaving Americans behind and failing to protect their own citizens". After the U.S. government announced a first flight, Al Jazeera wrote: "State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the flight carried 100 US citizens – a fraction of the nearly 6,000 Americans who have contacted the US embassy for information and help." Lebanese-Americans filed a class-action lawsuit against the State Department in the hopes of expediting an evacuation.

Evacuation has been taking place through the use of the countries' military aircraft, chartered flights or maritime routes via Cyprus. As of 5 October 2024, many airlines have indefinitely shut their services at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport due to Israeli airstrikes hitting areas nearby, though Lebanon's Middle East Airlines and regional carriers such as Iraqi Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines have been operating.

Analysis

United States' waning influence

Writing for The Guardian, Andrew Roth assessed that the invasion showed Israel's willingness to ignore its chief ally, the United States, and the latter's lack of influence over the Netanyahu government. Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that this was in part caused by the Democrats trying to avoid criticising Netanyahu before the U.S. presidential elections. Analysts believe that Netanyahu has a limited time frame before the US elections to attack Iranian proxies in the region. Writers for ITV News, The Washington Post, and Politico agreed that the invasion highlighted the waning influence the U.S. government has on Israel.

Personal motivations of Netanyahu

According to CNN's Stephen Collinson as well as Israeli observers, there is a long-standing suspicion among observers in Washington that Netanyahu has a strong personal interest in continuing the war to make amends for his failure to prevent the 7 October attacks and to delay ongoing legal proceedings against him for bribery, fraud, and breach of public trust.

Hezbollah capabilities

Prior the ground invasion, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on September 28 noted that while Israeli strikes led to "temporary organizational paralysis" and "internal disarray", Hezbollah "should be able to overcome this disruption, however, if given the time and space to do so", and furthermore that killed Hezbollah commanders "have deputies who should in principle be able to fill those roles and help the force recover" despite "difficult circumstance". The ISW termed damage done to Hezbollah's leadership as "short term" and a "temporary effect" if given the chance to reconstitute.

On 5 October, ISW reported that Hezbollah capabilities may have not been as degraded as previously thought, despite the extensive Israeli killing of its commanders and likely reduction in combat effectiveness of some of its forces. The report stated that Hezbollah has kept the bulk of its forces in positions deeper inside Lebanon while only engaging in limited-contact attacks against the IDF at the frontlines, concluding that the group "retains effective command-and-control at least at the tactical level and possibly higher". Writing for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Daniel Byman assessed that Israel had learnt lessons from the 2006 Lebanon War and had a number of intelligence successes prior to the invasion, such as the detonation of pagers used by Hezbollah. However, Byman also noted that Hezbollah had expanded its rocket arsenal since, and benefited from a number of factors such as being able to retreat away from the border and dragging the war out to its benefit. The New Statesman noted that though Israel enjoyed military superiority over Hezbollah, the latter had been able to bounce back from prior military defeats, and could exploit the fact that Israel is unlikely to win the conflict on the battlefield alone.

The Institute for the Study of War reported on 28 October that Hezbollah's military forces in southern Lebanon were disorganized and struggling against the Israel Defense Forces, which have effectively disrupted their operations. It also claimed that despite Hezbollah's attempts to portray itself as a competent military organization, it had failed to execute significant military strategies and lost valuable equipment to the IDF. On the other hand, the Anadolu Ajansi reported on the 6th of November, that Israel suffered serious losses in Lebanon and was not successful in their fight against Hezbollah.

Israel's methods

According to Karim Emilie Bitar, a professor of international relations at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut, IDF airstrikes outside of south Lebanon are meant to foster civil strife. Israel's methods were met with criticism in Israel, with Israeli media complaining that 50,000 Israeli soldiers were unable to take a single village and have gotten bogged down against Hezbollah, failing to make any gains. Furthermore, Israeli casualties in October were so high that Israeli radio referred to it as 'Black October'.

See also

• 1978 South Lebanon conflict
• 1982 Lebanon War
• 2006 Lebanon War
• Operation Accountability
• Operation Grapes of Wrath
• Hezbollah tunnels
• Allegations of genocide in the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon