Israel has launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. Israeli officials described the offensive as βlocalized raidsβ that are βvery limited in scope,β but said there would be βno long-term occupationβ of Lebanon.
Hezbollah said it launched strikes at troops in northern Israel, later adding that no Israeli soldiers had entered Lebanon.
Moscow has warned that the Israeli ground operation in Lebanon βwill lead to a further escalation of violence in the Middle East.β
βRussia strongly condemns the attack on Lebanon and calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw troops from Lebanese territory,β the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It urged the Israeli leadership to look for diplomatic means of resolving the conflict.
Moscow expresses solidarity with the authorities and people of Lebanon, who βhave been subjected to an armed aggression,β the ministry stated.
Update:
According to the White House, Iran is preparing a ballistic missile attack on Israel βThe United States has indications that Iran is preparing to launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel in the near future. We actively support defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack by Iran on Israel will have serious consequences for Iran,β a senior White House official said, according to CNN.
