Israel prepares for possible ground incursion into Lebanon
Israeli armed forces have started or will soon start small-scale operations on the Lebanese side of the border. ABC television reported this information on Sunday, citing American sources.
The newspaper "Jerusalem Post" reports that although Israel has not yet decided on a full ground operation, such a step could occur at any moment.
ABC sources emphasize that they are unsure if Israel has made a final decision on this matter, but they note that the country is prepared for such an operation.
The situation is highly dynamic and could change at any moment, especially if Hezbollah manages to achieve a more deadly hit or hits on Israel's home front than it has achieved to date - writes "Jerusalem Post".
In that case, Israel might need to move up its schedule for invading and also might need to invade deeper into Lebanon to reduce the rocket fire more rapidly - adds the newspaper.
The Israeli government is still analyzing whether a ground assault on Hezbollah is necessary, but military personnel are paying attention to the weather conditions. They are pressing to start a potential invasion in the coming weeks or days before the rainy autumn and harsh mountain winter prevailing in southern Lebanon - the newspaper notes.
Israel keeps shooting. Tens of thousands of Lebanese forced to evacuate
Israeli armed forces have been conducting intensive air raids on Lebanon for a week as part of Operation "Northern Arrows," aimed at restoring security in the country's north. Due to ongoing shelling by Hezbollah over the past year, over 60,000 residents have had to leave their homes. Israel emphasizes that the strikes are targeted at Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters.
According to Lebanese authorities, over 700 people have been killed in the air raids, several thousand have been injured, and over a million have had to flee their homes. Israeli commanders had earlier reported that soldiers were being prepared for a possible ground operation in southern Lebanon. Additional forces have been brought to the border, and numerous maneuvers simulating battles in Lebanon have taken place in recent days.
The plans included operations in areas near the border as well as deep within Lebanon, according to the military. Still, officials have said the IDF aims for a ground operation to be as short as possible, quoted by the Times of Israel.
