In short: 

Israel said its operation in southern Lebanon would be "limited" in scope after Israeli troops crossed the border.

Israeli tanks have been gathering near the country's border with Lebanon, as speculation continues to grow it will launch a full-scale ground invasion.

What's next: 

The deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah, Israel's primary adversary in Lebanon, says the militant group is ready for any invasion by Israel.

Israel's raids into Lebanon are limited and will not extend to Beirut, Israeli officials have said, despite fears of an all-out ground invasion across the Lebanese border.

Israel said its air force and artillery supported ground troops engaged in "limited, localised, and targeted ground raids" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon villages that posed "an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel".

Two Lebanese security sources told Reuters that Israeli units had crossed into Lebanon overnight for reconnaissance and probing operations. 

Lebanese troops also pulled back from positions along the border, the source added.

Hezbollah said on Tuesday it had launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli troops at positions within Israel, and made no mention of Israeli forces within Lebanon.

The Israeli military issued a warning to citizens not to move in their vehicles from the area north of the Litani river to its south. It has previously said it wants to clear Hezbollah from south of the river.

Sirens sounded in central Israel following the launch of projectiles from southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it fired missiles at the headquarters of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency and at a military intelligence unit on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

Steady escalation of conflict

Israel had earlier told the United States limited ground operations would be focused on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon near the border with Israel, the US State Department said.

Asked to confirm they were limited ground operations, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said: "That is our understanding."

It comes as Israel's defence minister all but confirmed plans to launch a large-scale ground invasion of Lebanon — although not the timing of it — as the country's military continued gathering near the border.

The operation aims to clear areas near the so-called Blue Line, which separates the states, of Hezbollah infrastructure.

Such a move would be the first time since 2006 that Israel had invaded Lebanon.

It would also signal yet another escalation in its conflict with Hezbollah just days after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) assassinated the militant group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut.

In a speech to troops on Monday, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said: "The elimination of Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the end."

He said Israel would use "all the means that may be required ... from the air, from the sea and on land. Good luck."

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