Jerusalem: The Israeli army announced that its Alpinist Unit crossed from the Syrian Golan Heights into southern Lebanon for the first time to execute what has been described as a ‘targeted operation’ along the border. This operation, carried out on foot through the challenging mountainous terrain, was aimed at disrupting efforts by groups that the Israeli forces identify as ‘terror’ entities attempting to gain a foothold near the border with Lebanon.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli military stated that the troops from the Alpinist Unit, under the 810th Brigade, completed their mission along the Lebanon border. The unit’s activities included reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, using the specialized skills of the mountain commando unit to locate enemy infrastructure. However, the statement did not disclose any information about potential clashes or casualties during the operation.

Israel has maintained control over the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 and expanded its presence into the buffer zone following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The recent operation is part of a broader military engagement, with Israel launching airstrikes and a ground offensive into southern Lebanon following a Hezbollah-led cross-border attack on March 2.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Lebanese authorities reporting 1,142 deaths and 3,315 injuries due to the Israeli military actions. Meanwhile, the escalation is part of a larger, joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran, which has resulted in over 1,340 deaths since February 28. In retaliation, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, US bases, and Gulf countries.