Israeli military invasion/ ground offensive in Lebanon/ Hezbollah conflict escalation/ Newslooks/ TEL AVIV/ Israel/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Israeli army is preparing for a potential ground operation in Lebanon, with tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalating. Hezbollah’s missile attack on Tel Aviv marks the group’s deepest strike yet, further intensifying the conflict. Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah sites, and the country is activating reserve troops to reinforce its northern defenses.
Israeli Army Prepares Ground Offensive: Quick Looks
- Israeli Army Chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said the military is preparing for a potential ground invasion of Lebanon.
- Hezbollah fired a missile toward Tel Aviv, marking its deepest attack in the ongoing conflict.
- The Israeli military has intensified airstrikes, targeting over 280 Hezbollah sites.
- Over 50 people have been killed in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes, raising the toll from recent days to 615.
- Israeli forces have intercepted multiple Hezbollah projectiles, including a surface-to-surface missile.
- The UN reports that more than 90,000 people have been displaced due to the ongoing violence in Lebanon.
Israeli Army Prepares Ground Offensive in Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions
Deep Look:
The Israeli military is preparing for a possible ground operation in Lebanon as the conflict with Hezbollah escalates. This marks a significant shift in Israel’s strategy, as Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi suggested for the first time that troops could enter Lebanon. The rising tensions were further amplified by Hezbollah’s missile strike aimed at Tel Aviv, the militant group’s deepest attack since the hostilities began. Israeli air defense systems intercepted the missile, preventing damage or casualties, but the incident marked a severe escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Hezbollah has ramped up its attacks, firing dozens of projectiles into northern Israel, prompting a strong response from Israeli forces. Israeli airstrikes targeted over 280 Hezbollah sites, including rocket launchers aimed at the cities of Safed and Nahariya. The Israeli military’s heightened response also included the deployment of reserve troops along the northern border, signaling the potential for a more significant ground campaign.
Halevi’s address to the troops on the northern border highlighted the military’s intention to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities and prepare the ground for a potential invasion. This move is aimed at ensuring the safe return of Israeli civilians who have been displaced by the conflict. Many northern Israeli cities have been affected by rocket fire, with daily life disrupted for over 1 million residents.
Meanwhile, the situation in Lebanon has worsened, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting more than 50 deaths on Wednesday alone, pushing the total death toll from Israeli strikes over the past three days to 615, with more than 2,000 wounded. Thousands of families have fled their homes, seeking refuge in schools turned into shelters or attempting to cross the border into Syria.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that over 90,000 people have been displaced in the last five days due to Israeli airstrikes. In total, more than 200,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel reignited nearly a year ago.
Hezbollah, in turn, claimed responsibility for the missile strike on Tel Aviv, stating that they targeted Israel’s Mossad intelligence headquarters in response to the alleged involvement of Israeli forces in recent targeted killings of Hezbollah commanders. The Israeli military, however, dismissed Hezbollah’s claims, labeling it as psychological warfare.
As the conflict intensifies, Israeli officials have made it clear that they will continue their efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s military capabilities. The army’s latest actions are part of a broader strategy to weaken Hezbollah’s stronghold in Lebanon, as the militant group continues to fire rockets and drones into Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict, which has been steadily building for nearly a year, appears to be pushing the region toward another full-scale war. The Israeli military has redirected thousands of troops from the Gaza front to the northern border in preparation for a potential ground offensive against Hezbollah.
Israel’s defense officials estimate that Hezbollah possesses a vast arsenal of approximately 150,000 rockets and missiles, some of which are capable of striking deep into Israeli territory. Since October, the group has launched around 9,000 projectiles at Israel. Wednesday’s missile launch, which carried a heavy warhead, marked the first time a rocket fired from Lebanon reached central Israel.
The international community is growing increasingly concerned about the widening conflict. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on Lebanon to address the escalating situation. Meanwhile, Israel remains firm in its stance, vowing to take whatever measures are necessary to protect its citizens and ensure their return to homes in the north.
Hezbollah’s actions over the past year have included regular rocket and drone attacks aimed at Israeli military and civilian targets. Israel’s response has been a combination of heavy airstrikes and targeted killings of Hezbollah commanders. The ongoing war has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border, with no immediate end in sight as diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire remain stalled.
The most recent attacks have disrupted life across northern Israel, where schools remain closed, public gatherings are restricted, and many businesses have shut down. Despite the escalating violence, Israeli military officials have expressed confidence in their ability to neutralize Hezbollah’s military capabilities, though the cost of continued conflict is proving heavy for both sides.
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