Israel-Lebanon invasion LIVE: IDF goes in as it begins ground operation against Hezbollah

The Israeli military has invaded Lebanon as it goes after Hezbollahon their turf - a major escalation that has furthered fears of all-out war breaking out in the Middle East.

The IDF tonight confirmed boots are now on the ground and air strikes and artillery are supporting the troops' incursion into Lebanon

Forced sealed off communities in the north on Monday as Israeli artillery pounded southern Lebanon with more than 100 IDF vehicles including tanks massed at the border.

Israel issued immediate evacuations orders for civilians living within 500 meters of three buildings in the Dahieh district of southern Beirut.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Israel informed the US about special forces raids into Lebanon. Israel described them as "limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border," per Miller.

There have been as yet no reports of direct clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants, who last engaged in ground combat on Lebanese soil during a monthlong war in 2006.

But a Western diplomat in Cairo whose country is directly involved in de-escalation efforts and who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said Israel had shared its plans with the US and other Western allies, and conveyed the operation will "be limited."

Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire daily since the war began in Gaza on October 7 last year, although not to the extent that is currently occurring. The escalation has stoked fears of a broader conflict that could devastate the Middle East.

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