Israeli claims that its soldiers began ground operations inside southern Lebanon "are false," Hezbollah said in a Tuesday statement. "No direct ground clashes have yet taken place between the resistance fighters and the occupation forces," the group said, referring to Israeli troops.

Israel's limited ground incursion into Lebanon could be imminent, two more U.S. officials have told ABC News. One of the officials said Israel notified the U.S. of its intentions. Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh would not confirm as much when repeatedly asked Monday,