Live Updates: Israel launches 'limited' ground invasion in south Lebanon

Israel said it expanded operations in southern Lebanon less than a day after launching a ground invasion into the country, while Hezbollah denied troops had crossed the border.

The Israeli military announced late on Monday that it began a limited ground invasion in southern Lebanon to clear Hezbollah from south of the Litani River, marking the first such Israeli operation in Lebanon in 18 years. Meanwhile, Hezbollah denied that any Israeli troops had entered the country, but said it was ready to fight them. By Tuesday, there were no reports of direct clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in the south.

The Israeli army on Tuesday called on Lebanese civilians not to drive their vehicles from the north to the south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, due to heavy fighting.

Meanwhile, the cross-border fire continued with Hezbollah and its ally, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, launching several rockets and drones toward northern and central Israel. Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance service said two people were injured in the attacks.

More than 1,000 people have been killed and over 6,000 injured by Israeli strikes in Lebanon since Sept. 16, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Within Lebanon, 200,000 people are displaced, while over 100,000 people have fled to Syria.