NewKerala.com

Israel Launches Ground Ops in Lebanon, Strikes Iranian Airport & Cities

The Israel Defence Forces have initiated limited ground operations against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, sparking fierce border clashes. In a parallel escalation, Israel destroyed an Airbus A340 used by Iran's senior leadership at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport, aiming to disrupt Tehran's regional coordination. Israeli strikes also reportedly hit targets within several Iranian cities as part of the ongoing US-Israeli campaign. The hostilities mark a significant widening of the conflict that began with air strikes against Iran in late February.

Key Points: Israel Begins Ground Ops in Lebanon, Hits Iran Airport

  • IDF begins ground ops in south Lebanon
  • Clashes with Hezbollah along border
  • Israeli strike destroys Iranian leadership plane
  • Campaign targets Iranian cities
  • Part of widening Middle East conflict
3 min read

Israel begins 'targetted' ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

IDF starts targeted ground operations against Hezbollah in south Lebanon and destroys a key Iranian leadership aircraft in Tehran amid escalating conflict.

"to remove threats and protect the residents of the north. - Israel Katz"

Jerusalem, March 16

The Israel Defence Forces announced Monday that it had begun "limited and targetted ground operations" against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation, saying it was intended "to remove threats and protect the residents of the north."

Security sources and eyewitnesses reported fierce clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters along multiple border axes. Israeli forces have been advancing toward the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated boundary between Israel and Lebanon, establishing positions in towns and strategic points throughout the border region.

The escalation is part of a broader widening of the Middle East conflict that began on February 28 with a US-Israeli air campaign against Iran. Hezbollah, which controls much of southern Lebanon and is a key Iranian ally, has regularly exchanged rocket and drone fire with Israeli forces since renewing attacks on March 2, two days after the killing of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike.

Hezbollah fighters have fortified their positions and pushed back against Israeli advances, producing some of the fiercest border clashes since a fragile ceasefire ended a previous year-long war in late 2024, Xinhua news agency reported. That ceasefire had halted wide-ranging hostilities that displaced hundreds of thousands of people and caused significant infrastructure damage on both sides.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said Monday it had destroyed an aircraft used by Iran's top leadership at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport, claiming the strike would hamper coordination between Tehran and its regional allies. Israel also said it carried out strikes on infrastructure in several Iranian cities.

In a statement, the IDF said the plane had served senior political and military figures for both domestic and international travel. The military added that eliminating the aircraft would disrupt communication between Iran's leadership and allied groups across the region, slow Tehran's military buildup, and limit its ability to restore damaged capabilities.

The aircraft was identified as an Airbus A340 previously used to transport senior leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and, in the past, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to diplomatic engagements abroad. Iranian authorities did not immediately confirm the strike, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mehrabad Airport, located in western Tehran, is one of the capital's oldest aviation hubs. While Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport handles most long-haul international flights, Mehrabad remains the country's busiest domestic airport and also hosts military facilities, including units of the Iranian Air Force.

Separately, on Monday, the IDF said it struck targets in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, as the US-Israeli campaign against Iran entered its 17th day.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The article mentions the US-Israeli campaign. It feels like the world is sleepwalking into another major conflict. As an Indian, our priority should be the safety of our diaspora in the region and ensuring energy security isn't disrupted. Our government must stay engaged but neutral.
R
Rohit P
Striking an airport in Tehran? That's a massive provocation. This is no longer just about Hezbollah. The conflict is widening rapidly. India has good relations with both Israel and Iran. We need to use that position to call for restraint, loudly and clearly.
S
Sarah B
Reading this with concern. The humanitarian cost of the last war was terrible. "Limited and targetted" operations have a way of spiraling. The international community, including India, needs to push harder for de-escalation. The focus should be on protecting civilians.
V
Vikram M
Hezbollah is a terrorist organization backed by Iran. They've been firing rockets for weeks. Israel's response, while strong, seems inevitable. The real issue is Iran's destabilizing role in the region. Hope our strategic ties with Israel help in sharing critical intelligence.
K
Kavya N
With respect, I have to criticize the framing a bit. The article calls it a "US-Israeli campaign" but the intro focuses only on Israel's ground op. The initial strike that killed Khamenei was a huge trigger. Context matters. The cycle of violence needs to be broken, not just reported.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50