Israel has initiated a ground operation in southern Lebanon aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near the border rather than occupying the area, a senior Israeli official told Axios. 

The official explained that the ground incursion began in a limited section on the eastern side of the border and will gradually expand to other areas. The objective is to create a "security perimeter" on the Lebanese side of the border, which would be controlled only by the Lebanese military or the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). 

The operation targets Hezbollah outposts, tunnels, missile launch sites, and other facilities in villages close to the Israeli-Lebanese border. 

“We have no intention of drowning in the Lebanese mud,” the official stated. “We will go in and go out at the end. This is a tactical operation that is limited in time and scope.”

U.S. Response: Limited Influence Over Israeli Strategy

U.S. officials have acknowledged that the Biden administration’s ability to influence Israeli decision-making regarding the conflict in Lebanon is limited. While the White House had previously advised against a ground invasion, it has now shifted its focus to minimizing the scope of the operation.

“We understood it is happening, but we're at a place of peace with the Israeli decision and plan,” a U.S. official told Axios.

Israeli officials have reassured the White House and the Pentagon that the operation is not intended to escalate into a large-scale invasion. However, U.S. officials remain concerned that the operation, though initially limited in both time and geography, could evolve into a more prolonged and extensive conflict.

"Of course, we know that mission creep can be a risk, and we will keep discussing that with the Israelis," a National Security Council spokesperson said.

Potential Diplomatic Outcomes

Despite concerns, senior U.S. officials are not ruling out the possibility that Israel’s military pressure on Hezbollah could lead to a diplomatic breakthrough. Such a resolution might include not only a ceasefire but also a weakening of Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon and the broader region.

“The feeling inside the administration is a mix of perturbed and intrigued,” one U.S. official explained. “On the one hand, the Israelis really are playing with fire here. But on the other hand, what if it works?”