The Israeli occupation army continues to conduct what it describes as a “limited” ground operation in southern Lebanon, aiming to weaken the core and logistical capabilities of Hezbollah, one year after the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza.
To carry out this mission, the occupation forces have mobilized additional troops to the Lebanese border. In a post on the social media platform “X” at the start of the ground operation, they announced: “Four reserve brigades and additional forces have been mobilized for operational tasks in the northern sector.”
They added, “Their deployment will enable continued combat efforts against Hezbollah and achieve the war objectives, including the safe return of northern residents to their homes.”
Two days ago, the Israeli army included the 146th Division among those attempting a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.
With this, the number of Israeli divisions involved in ground incursion attempts into southern Lebanon has increased to four, following the deployment of the 91st, 98th, and 36th divisions. This comes amid Hezbollah’s announcement of its ongoing resistance to these incursions, inflicting “significant losses” on the participating forces.
A report published by The New York Times highlighted the Israeli forces involved in the ground operation in southern Lebanon.
How Many Israeli Troops Are in Lebanon?
The Israeli occupation army has not disclosed the number of troops involved in ground incursions in southern Lebanon due to military censorship, which prohibits sharing any details about military operations, claiming that it might benefit Hezbollah. However, estimates suggest that the number is no less than 40,000, given that a single division typically comprises at least 10,000 troops, according to Anadolu Agency.
In Israel, as in other countries, a full military division generally consists of 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers, with roughly a third being combat troops and the remainder providing support, including logistics and intelligence roles.
Gershon HaCohen, a retired Israeli general who served as a reservist in Israel’s northern command last year, noted that the number of Israeli troops fighting in Lebanon is lower than in 2006, during the last full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Previous reports by The New York Times estimated this number to range from 10,000 to 30,000 troops, depending on the stage of the 34-day-long war.
HaCohen explained that Israel’s announcement of deploying additional divisions does not necessarily mean a significant expansion of its campaign in southern Lebanon. Instead, he suggested that the forces would operate in new areas along the border.
In the 1978 Litani Operation, Israel’s first war against Palestinian resistance, around 25,000 Israeli soldiers participated, including most of the 36th Division of the occupation army and the Paratroopers Corps. Meanwhile, approximately 40,000 Israeli troops, along with hundreds of tanks, were involved in the 1982 Lebanon War.
Where Are the Israeli Divisions Positioned in Lebanon?
Israeli soldiers have entered several Lebanese villages across the northern border of Israel. Many residents of these villages were evacuated over the past year due to cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to Israeli security officials, the Israeli forces are conducting operations in the villages of Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, Adaisseh, and Kafr Kila nearby.
Satellite images captured recently by Planet Labs show the tracks of tanks crossing the border from Israel into the Lebanese village of Yaroun. The images also reveal newly built structures where the Israeli occupation army has established tank and other military vehicle positions.
Video footage and photos have shown Israeli soldiers patrolling streets and setting up posts along residential areas. One video captured soldiers raising the Israeli flag over a destroyed garden in Maroun al-Ras.
Local officials noted that the villages of Maroun al-Ras and Yaroun were already emptied of residents before the Israeli army began its ground assault. The mayor of Yaroun, Ali Qassem Tafesh, and former mayor Hassan Awwad confirmed that most residents left when the strikes began last year.
Which Divisions Are Participating in the Ground Invasion of Southern Lebanon?
Observers believe that the participation of the Galilee Division 91 in the ground operation indicates an intention to escalate military actions in that region. This division specializes in protecting Israel’s northern borders, but its deployment in such operations signals a greater readiness for incursions into residential areas, as reported by Radio Monte Carlo.
What Is Israel’s Strategy in Lebanon?
Israeli military officials have repeatedly described the invasion as “limited, localized, and targeted raids” against Hezbollah, claiming that the operation will not extend deep into Lebanon.
However, the occupation army has called for the evacuation of dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, urging residents to move north of the Awali River, which is over 24 kilometers from the Israeli border at its closest point.
General HaCohen noted that “the goal is not to eliminate Hezbollah, at least not at this stage, but rather to destroy its capabilities along the border.”
Yet, Israel’s claim of a limited ground invasion in southern Lebanon has been met with skepticism by some critics, who point out that Israel’s experience in Rafah suggests otherwise.
Before the Israeli ground assault on Rafah in May 2024, President Biden threatened to cut off weapons supplies to Israel if there was a large-scale ground invasion in Rafah, but he later stated that the attack did not cross his administration’s “red line” as it was limited to a strategic area to combat Hamas.
However, in July 2024, Western media outlets visited Rafah and described it as a “destroyed ghost town,” with buildings entirely leveled and hardly any residents, despite it being home to over a million Palestinians just weeks earlier.
Has the Ground Invasion in Lebanon Succeeded So Far?
Several Western reports indicate that as Israeli forces advance deeper into Lebanese territory, they face greater risks, including advanced weaponry employed by Hezbollah.
If the Israeli government fails to devise a clear exit strategy, as it did in Gaza, the army might find itself trapped in a prolonged war that drains its resources to the utmost.
Hezbollah, better prepared for war with Israel than in the past, has built an arsenal estimated at over 100,000 rockets and shells, training tens of thousands of fighters. Its leadership has studied Israel closely.
The New York Times commented on Israel’s celebration of some recent successes in Lebanon, including the assassination of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, stating that it might be premature. The Israeli ground invasion, just days old, has already exacted a heavy toll.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah fighters killed nine Israeli soldiers during the first battles since the invasion began. Two more soldiers were killed on Friday in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, according to the Israeli occupation army.
Retired Israeli General Yaakov Amidror remarked, “The ground invasion will be far more challenging. We are facing a more dangerous, prepared, and heavily armed organization than Hamas. It’s on another level.”
