Israel-Lebanon in maps: Tracking the conflict with Hezbollah and Iran

The IDF said soldiers had “eliminated terrorists and dismantled terrorist infrastructure through precision-guided munitions and close-range engagements” in several southern Lebanese areas.

Later, the IDF announced that eight troops had been killed in action. Six were reportedly ambushed by Hezbollah fighters and another two were killed by mortar fire.

Hezbollah said its fighters had fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli commandos during clashes in one border village. It also claimed that other troops were targeted with explosives and gunfire on the outskirts of Kafr Kila, that three Israeli Merkava tanks were destroyed by missiles near Maroun al-Ras, and that there were also clashes in Adaisseh and Yaroun.

A ground operation in southern Lebanon comes with many risks for Israeli forces. Unlike the flat coastal plains of Gaza, southern Lebanon has rolling hills and some mountainous terrain that makes it difficult for tanks to move easily without fear of being ambushed.

Hezbollah is also thought to have a network of tunnels in the region, with the group having been preparing for another full-scale conflict with Israel since the 34-day war in 2006.