Israel has launched what it called “a limited ground operation” across its northern border into Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, opening a new and dangerous phase in almost a year of war.

The ground incursion, accompanied by air and artillery fire, consists of ‘limited, localized and targeted ground raids’ against Hezbollah targets in the border area. Lebanese troops withdrew five kilometers from the border.

Israeli ground forces crossed into southern Lebanon early Tuesday, marking a significant escalation of an offensive against Hezbollah militants and opening a new front in a yearlong war against its Iranian-backed adversaries.

Israeli leaders for years have accused Hezbollah of hiding weapons and fighters inside homes and other civilian structures in border villages. Tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians have fled southern Lebanon in recent weeks fearing an Israeli military onslaught.

Israeli ground forces moved into southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation of an offensive against Hezbollah and opening a new front in a yearlong war against its Iranian-backed adversaries

The ground invasion represents an escalating conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran-backed militants.

The Israeli military has launched what it called a "limited, localized" ground offensive in southern Lebanon against the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Israel said its troops had launched raids inside Lebanon on Tuesday, starting its widely expected ground operations after two weeks of devastating airstrikes against Hezbollah's command structure and weapons sites.

The widening gap between U.S. desires and Israel’s actions has left the Biden administration struggling to adapt its diplomatic efforts.