Israeli forces have closed off an area of northern Israel along the Lebanese border. US officials have reported that the Jewish state is preparing for an “imminent” invasion of southern Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah outposts.
By Monday night, Israel’s Northern Command commander Major General Oli Godin had ordered some areas of Israel’s northern districts closed to civilians, according to the Times of Israel.
The Jewish state told the Biden administration on Monday that it is ready to launch a limited incursion into southern Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure, U.S. officials told The Washington Post. Ta.
Another official familiar with talks between Jerusalem and Washington told CBS News that the invasion, which could be the start of a two-front war for Israel, could begin within hours.
President Biden told reporters on Monday that he was fully aware of Israel’s plans, adding that the United States opposes the escalation as it continues to support the 21-day ceasefire agreement.
“I know more than you think” about the impending invasion, Biden said, adding, “I’m happy they’ll stop it.” There should be a ceasefire now. ”
The operation is expected to be smaller than the Gaza invasion and will focus on dismantling Hezbollah tunnels, rocket launchers and weapons caches along the southern border, officials told the Post.
The goal is to prevent Hezbollah from continuing its daily missile attacks on northern Israel, which has resulted in tens of thousands of people being evacuated from the area since October 8.
The ground operation follows a months-long special forces intelligence investigation, The Wall Street Journal reported.
“The Israel Defense Forces have made a lot of preparations for the ground invasion,” Amir Abibi, a former Israeli military official who is still being briefed, told the outlet. “Overall, this always involves special operations. It’s part of the process.”
This comes after Israeli tanks were seen lined up near the border with Lebanon and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant hinted on Monday that a ground operation against Hezbollah was imminent. Ta.
“Together with the fighters of the 188th Brigade on the northern border, our forces are ready for an armed attack on Hezbollah,” Gallant wrote in a post to X.
“Our goal is clear: to return northerners to their homes. We will do everything in our power to achieve this goal.”
Hezbollah also expects a ground invasion, the terror group’s deputy leader Naim Qasem said in his first remarks since Israel killed its leader Hassan Nasrallah last week.
“We intend to face all possibilities and if the Israelis decide to invade by land and the resistance forces are ready for a ground war,” he said in a speech from an undisclosed location. We are ready.”
Qassem’s remarks came as Israeli airstrikes intensified against targets in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon, extending a two-week onslaught and eliminating at least seven Hezbollah commanders.
Despite the heavy blow Hezbollah has suffered, a defiant Qasem vowed that the terror group was prepared for a long war and said the slain commander had already been replaced.
“Israel was unable to influence our (military) capabilities,” he said. “There is a second-in-command, and at any post there is a replacement in case the commander is injured.”
He added that Hezbollah fighters continued to fire rockets to a depth of 93 miles into Israeli territory as tensions escalated.
“What we are doing is the bare minimum… We understand that the fight may be long,” Qasem said.
Over the past week, Israel has frequently targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence, including in a major attack on Friday that killed Nasrallah.
An airstrike early Monday morning targeted an apartment building in central Beirut, killing three leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The terrorist group said Hamas leader Fatah Sharif was also killed along with his family in an Israeli airstrike in the southern city of Tire.
with post wire
