UNIFIL forces requested on Monday that the Lebanese army evacuate several positions on the border - in preparation for an expected ground incursion by Israel, the Lebanese Al Jadid channel reported.
The evacuation was carried out in the early evening and a Lebanese security source told Reuters that "the Lebanese forces withdrew five kilometers north of the border." After the military positions were evacuated, the IDF opened artillery fire into southern Lebanon.
Foreign media reported limited ground activity of the IDF on the border with Lebanon, but the report has not been confirmed by Israel.
Avichay Adraee, the head of the Arab media division of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, called on the residents of three buildings in the Dahieh district of Beirut to evacuate their homes immediately.
"You are near Hezbollah's interests and facilities, and therefore the IDF will act against them with force. For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate the buildings immediately and start at a distance from them of no less than 500 meters," he said.
MK Moshe Solomon (Religious Zionist Party) wrote in a post on X that the IDF began ground operations in Lebanon, and later deleted the post. After Knesset members and ministers hinted at the activity in the north, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari requested, "In recent hours, there have been many reports and rumors about IDF activities on the Lebanese border. We ask that no reports be passed about the activities of the forces. Adhere to the official reports only and do not spread irresponsible rumors."
Earlier on Monday evening, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced that Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi were declared a closed military area, after reports of an imminent ground incursion of IDF forces into Lebanon.
The Upper Galilee Regional Council notified the residents: "As expected – the war has entered a new phase. Metula, Kfar Giladi and Misgav Am have been declared a closed military area, and civilians are not allowed to remain there as IDF forces are expected to operate in Lebanese territory. It is difficult to know how things will develop and it is very important to increase the level of vigilance in the coming hours. The first response teams in the kibbutzim have been updated and are available for all needs and the regional councils are in continuous contact with the army."
Senior IDF commanders approved plans for the coming days in the Northern Command and IDF forces from the 188th Brigade held training sessions near the northern border. The local security departments also held exercises in preparation for responses to a variety of scenarios.
Senior US officials told the Washington Post that Israel provided an update that the planned campaign would be small in scope compared to the Lebanon War in 2006.
The operation will focus on clearing terrorist infrastructure along the border to remove the threat to Israeli border towns. CBS reported that the ground incursion may take place today.
US President Joe Biden was asked this evening if he is aware of the Israeli plan for a ground incursion in Lebanon and replied: "I am more aware than you think."