Israel has vowed to “crush Hezbollah” in a chilling statement hours after launching its long-awaited ground offensive.

Israeli troops were locked in fierce clashes in Lebanon after launching Operation “Northern Arrows” in a major escalation of the conflict.

Heavy fighting continued to rage in southern Lebanon today as 25,000 Israeli troops stepped up their ground war to smash Hezbollah rocket sites.

Israeli commanders said the invasion would be “limited, localized and targeted” and would not involve an occupation.

But clashes intensified through the night with Hezbollah launching rocket and artillery barrages toward Israeli troops massing on the border.

Terror troops responded to the onslaught by launching early hours rocket and artillery barrages against the border town of Metula inside Israel.

Hezbollah also said it targeted Mossad’s headquarters in Glilot near Tel Aviv. It said it “launched salvoes of Fadi 4 rockets at the Glilot base of the military intelligence’s unit 8200 and the Mossad headquarters located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.”

Defending Israel’s position, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for continued operations to “crush the terrorist organization” to allow residents who have fled Northern Israel to return home safely.

He said: “The decisions we made in the last few days are important, correct and necessary. “At the same time, this is the time not to stop, [we must] continue doing everything, with all our might.

“I pray for the success of the IDF soldiers who are currently fighting in difficult conditions in southern Lebanon; the people of Israel stand behind them.”