Hello and welcome to News Hour live from the BBC World Service in London.

I'm Rebecca Keesby.

Israeli forces have begun a ground offensive into Lebanon.

They're describing it as being limited, targeted raids

along Israel's northern border against the threat posed,

they say, by Hezbollah strongholds.

The Israeli army is describing it as localized ground raids. Nevertheless,

tanks and troops have crossed in over the border into a sovereign state that is

usually considered an invasion.

Israeli airstrikes continue overnight, several sites were hit in the southern Beirut

district of Duhair.

Israel says it was targeting Hezbollah weapon stores.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Marcati says his country is facing one of the most dangerous And displaced citizens. Meanwhile sirens sounded across Israel's largest

city Tel Aviv this morning. Israel saying that at least three Hezbollah rockets

were fired into Israel. Well I'm delighted to say we can now speak live to the International Spokesperson

for the Israeli Defence Forces Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner.

Sir, welcome back to the program.

I wonder, could you begin with an update on the fighting?

How far into Lebanon have your troops gone?

And how much resistance have they faced?

As you pointed out, the operations that began overnight are limited,

localized and targeted in and around the border areas specifically.

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