[Washington = Kiyoshi Ouchi, Tel Aviv = Takao Sato]The Israeli military announced in a statement on the 1st that it had launched a “limited ground operation” into southern Lebanon to wipe out the pro-Iranian militia group Hezbollah. This was reported by US media. This is the first invasion in about 18 years since July 2006.

According to the Associated Press, Israeli forces attacked several villages along the border. Lebanese health authorities said on the 1st that 95 people had died and more than 170 were injured in the past 24 hours.

At a press conference on September 30, U.S. State Department Spokesman Miller emphasized that Israel “has the right to self-defense against attacks by Hezbollah.” “Ultimately, it would be desirable to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict so that residents of both countries near the border can return to their homes,” he said.

The Israeli military has designated three districts in the country’s north as military areas, prohibiting civilians from entering them, and has issued an evacuation advisory for some areas in southern Beirut.

About two weeks ago, small communication equipment used by Hezbollah fighters exploded in Lebanon, leading to speculation that Israel was behind the explosion. Afterwards, the Israeli military carried out heavy bombing raids on Hezbollah’s strongholds in the south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, killing several senior commanders, including long-time leader Nasrallah. Communication networks within Hezbollah have been disrupted, and the chain of command is likely to be in disarray.