Israel launches ground invasion of southern Lebanon — Katz: operation like Gaza war

Israel launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon on Day 18, escalating from the 'limited ground operations' announced the previous day. Defense Minister Katz publicly compared the operation to the Gaza war and stated Israel could occupy Lebanese territory indefinitely — the most expansive Israeli position on Lebanon since the conflict began. The invasion opens a third major ground theater simultaneously with the air campaign against Iran and the proxy conflict in Iraq. IDF forces advancing into southern Lebanon will directly engage Hezbollah's prepared defensive positions. The international reaction was swift: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK issued a joint statement of grave concern — the broadest allied pushback of the conflict. Lebanon's government faces a catastrophic collapse of the Hezbollah disarmament diplomatic track under UN Resolution 1701 as Israeli forces advance.

Key facts

• •IDF launches ground invasion of southern Lebanon — Day 18
• •Defense Minister Katz: operation similar to the Gaza war in scope
• •Katz: Israel could occupy Lebanese territory indefinitely
• •Third active ground theater opened alongside Iran air campaign and Iraq proxy front
• •Canada, France, Germany, Italy, UK issue joint statement of grave concern
• •Lebanon's Hezbollah disarmament diplomatic track collapses