Escalation in Middle East: Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Blows

Israel's elite units launched limited ground raids into Lebanon, triggering missile attacks from Hezbollah on Tel Aviv. The escalating conflict raised fears of broader Middle East involvement from Iran and the U.S. Residents in southern Lebanon are evacuating, while Israel calls up additional reserves and threatens further military action.

Israel's elite units carried out limited ground raids into Lebanon on Tuesday, while Hezbollah retaliated by firing missiles at Tel Aviv. The U.S. warned it had indications Iran might enter the conflict with a ballistic missile attack on Israel. The tit-for-tat violence follows intense Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, raising fears of a broader Middle East conflict involving both Iran and the U.S.

A senior White House official stated that the U.S. is supporting preparations to defend Israel against a direct military attack by Iran, warning that such an attack would have severe consequences for Iran. Israel conducted strikes on a high-rise building in Beirut's Jnah area and the capital's southern suburbs, causing road closures to Beirut airport, according to Lebanese security sources.

The Israeli military termed its action a 'precise strike.' Troops in southern Lebanon began limited raids overnight, encountering no direct clashes with Hezbollah fighters. The military said ongoing raids in southern Lebanon have uncovered Hezbollah's tunnels, weapons caches, and invasion plans, which mirror past attacks by militant groups.

(With inputs from agencies.)