The Israeli military said early on Tuesday it had launched a "limited, localized" ground operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had begun "targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence," the military said in a post on social media platform X.
"These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."
Dubbed Northern Arrows, it is Israel's first ground offensive into Lebanon since the 2006 war.
The military was operating to a "methodical plan," which had been trained and prepared for in recent months, the IDF said.
The IDF and the air force were supporting ground forces with "precise strikes" on military targets in the area, it said.
"The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes."
Rockets were fired at Israel early on Tuesday, the army said, with around 10 rockets intercepted in the Meron area in northern Israel.
Hezbollah also fired several missiles at the area around the border town of Metulla and the town of Avivim, according to the IDF.
Some projectiles were intercepted by the missile defence system, others hit the ground, some in open areas, it said.
Israeli news site ynet reported of 15 projectiles. Hezbollah claimed responsibilty for the attacks on Metulla, saying it had targeted groups of soldiers.
The Israeli army warned Lebanon's population against travelling south of the Litani River, which is about 30 kilometres from the border.
According to a UN resolution, Hezbollah fighters are not allowed south of this line. However, after the last Lebanon war in 2006, militants gradually returned to the area.
Following almost a year of cross-border skirmishes, Israel launched a massive aerial campaign on targets across Lebanon last week, with the stated aim of pushing back Lebanon's Hezbollah militia to enable the return of tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern Israel.
Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands of people displaced in Lebanon amid the Israeli bombardment so far.
The international community is urging de-escalation amidst continued Israeli strikes and Hezbollah retaliations, but efforts for a ceasefire have so far been rejected by both sides.
US, Israel agreed on 'dismantling' Hezbollah sites
The US and Israel agreed on the "necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure" along the Lebanon border, the Pentagon has said.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had spoken with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to review security developments and Israeli operations, his department said in a statement.
The US and Israel had agreed on "the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border" to ensure that Hezbollah could not conduct "October 7-style attacks on Israel's northern communities," the statement said.
"The Secretary reaffirmed that a diplomatic resolution is required to ensure that civilians can return safely to their homes on both sides of the border."
Austin had again assured Israel of Washington's full support to defend itself against Iran-backed terrorist organizations, the Pentagon said.
Ahead of the Israeli announcement, Washington late on Monday said it had been informed of the planned "limited operations" on the Lebanese border.
The Pentagon added the US was well postured to defend its personnel, partners, and allies in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations.
"The Secretary and Minister Gallant discussed the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel," the statement added.
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