ALBAWABA - The Israeli army announced starting a 'limited' ground operation in Southern Lebanon on Monday evening, with the elite 98th division leading the incursions.
According to the Israeli army, the operation in Southern Lebanon, which started a week after intensified attacks by Israel, will be "limited, localised and targeted" and is backed by nonstopping airstrikes and artillery targeting villages near the border.
Israel stated that the airstrikes on Lebanon and the incursions aimed at the return of settlers residing in northern Israel, who left amid Hezbollah's attacks on Israel following the start of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.
A video was posted by the Israeli army showing a meeting between the fighters of Division 98, including the fighters of the commando formation, the paratroopers, and the armor of the 7th Brigade, as they were preparing for a ground operation in southern Lebanon.
On Tuesday, Lebanon’s official news agency (NNA) reported that the artillery attacks lasted over two hours, targeting the towns of Wazzani, Marjeyoun and Khiyam.
Was deputy commander of Israel's elite 98th division leader killed in southern Lebanon?
Israel's elite 98th division was previously inside Gaza but was redirected to lead the ground invasion in Southern Lebanon. The army said: "After operating in Gaza, where the soldiers of the 98th division gained skills and operational experience, they moved north and are now conducting limited, localized, targeted operations that began last night."
Shortly following the announcement of the start of the ground operations in Southern Lebanon, some accounts on social media claimed that the deputy of Israel's elite 98th division leader was killed.
Many claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the deputy commander was killed in Southern Lebanon. A person posted: "Speculation that the deputy commander of the Israeli special attacking unit was killed."
However, no official Israel source reported any casualties in the ground operation in Lebanon which started late Monday. Experts believe this rumor was launched by Hezbollah supporters to scare Israeli soldiers on the border.
