Israeli army soldiers sit by a deployed infantry-fighting vehicle (IFV) at a position along the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on October 1, 2024. The Israeli army on October 1 said it launched a ground offensive in Lebanon and that its forces engaged in clashes, further escalating the conflict after a week of intense air strikes that killed hundreds. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said, however, the Israeli operation did not amount to a "ground incursion" and while Hezbollah denied any troops had crossed the border, an Israeli security official said localised raids had taken place and they were limited in scope. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)