Israel has launched a ground invasion into Lebanon after the IDF conducted simultaneous strikes in Iran and Beirut on March 3. 

While Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun urged restraint, Hezbollah fired drones and missiles at Israel, opening a military front across the Israel-Lebanon border. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir alleged that the Lebanese Armed Forces' failure to disarm Hezbollah forced Israeli action. This came after IDF Spokesperson Efi Defrin announced that the Israeli military was considering a ground invasion into Lebanon.

During the early hours of March 3, the military operation escalated rapidly. Two UAVs entering Israeli airspace from Lebanon were intercepted during the early hours of March 3. At 07:29 local time, the IDF announced strikes on Tehran and Beirut as part of Operation 'Roaring Lion.'

"In parallel to IDF activity as part of Operation 'Roaring Lion', IDF soldiers are operating in southern Lebanon and are positioned at several points near the border area as part of an enhanced forward defence posture," the IDF stated in a press release. The military added that it is "working to create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel" while targeting Hezbollah military sites.

"The Hezbollah terrorist organisation chose to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime, and it will bear the consequences of its actions. The IDF will not allow harm to Israeli civilians, and will continue to act to defend the State of Israel and its citizens," the IDF concluded in its statement.