Israel-Lebanon Conflict: Hezbollah Denies Israeli Troops Have Entered Lebanon; Says Ready to Fight Them

Jerusalem, October 1: Hezbollah has denied that Israeli troops have entered Lebanon but says its fighters are ready for a “direct confrontation” if they cross the border. In its first statement since Israel announced the start of ground operations, Hezbollah spokesman Mohammed Afifi said reports that Israeli forces had entered Lebanon were “false claims”. Israel Launches Localised, Targeted Ground Operations in Southern Lebanon Villages, Focusing on Hezbollah Strongholds.

He said Hezbollah fighters are ready “to have direct confrontation with enemy forces that dare to or try to enter Lebanon to inflict casualties among them”. He also said Hezbollah's firing of medium-range missiles toward central Israel earlier on Tuesday “is only the beginning”.