Israel readies for possible Lebanon ground operation

The Israeli military is gearing up for a potential ground operation in Lebanon, according to Israeli army chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. This announcement followed Hezbollah’s barrage of rockets into Israel, including a missile aimed at Tel Aviv, marking the group’s deepest strike yet. Speaking to troops on the northern border, Halevi indicated that recent airstrikes were meant to “prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah.”

Referring to the missile fired at Tel Aviv, Halevi told soldiers that Hezbollah had expanded its range of fire and would receive a strong response later in the day. It remained unclear whether this retaliation would involve a ground operation, further airstrikes, or another form of military action against Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most powerful political and paramilitary group with Iran’s backing.

Despite recent statements by the Israeli military suggesting no immediate plans for a ground invasion, Halevi’s remarks hinted at the possibility. On Wednesday, the Israeli military announced the activation of two reserve brigades for northern missions, signalling tougher upcoming actions.

⚡🚨Breaking: The Israeli Air Force is on high alert

The face towards Lebanon towards the night

After a security discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Israel approved the plans to attack Lebanon.

🌐 And is also ready to react in the territory of Iran if required. pic.twitter.com/L49mVOZ4N9

— tzachi dado צחי דדו 🎗️ (@UsBnnxVURfS4lPJ) September 22, 2024

In the southern Israeli city of Eilat, a drone struck a port building, injuring two people. An umbrella group for Iranian-backed militias in Iraq claimed the attack. A second drone was intercepted, with footage showing smoke and a damaged building. The Israeli military reported the drones were approaching from the East.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating since the conflict with Hamas began 11 months ago. Hezbollah has been launching rockets, missiles, and drones into northern Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, prompting heavy Israeli airstrikes and targeted killings of Hezbollah commanders. Nearly a year of fighting has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.

Israel aims to ensure its citizens can return home in the north, while Hezbollah vows to continue its attacks until a ceasefire in Gaza is achieved. Halevi mentioned preparations for a manoeuvre to allow displaced Israelis to return home.

The Israeli army moves to the next phase and prepares for a ground invasion of Lebanon – The commander of the northern region

This would be a great opportunity for Hezbollah pic.twitter.com/h8puq6yPH0

— MEHMET VEFA DAG (@AFRICANDEMOC) September 25, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged both sides to de-escalate, warning that full-scale war would be disastrous for the region. Blinken, in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, said the U.S. was working on a temporary ceasefire plan to allow displaced people to return home. U.S. officials are discussing ideas, with some expected to be addressed at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Lebanon called by France.

Lebanon’s health minister reported over 50 deaths on Wednesday from Israeli strikes, raising the three-day death toll to 615, with over 2,000 wounded. Soumaya Moussawi, at Dar Al Amal hospital in Baalbek, recounted being injured by a nearby airstrike that killed her relatives.

This week has been the deadliest in Lebanon since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing a Qader 1 ballistic missile at Israel’s Mossad headquarters in response to targeted killings and a recent attack. Israeli officials said they intercepted a missile aimed at Tel Aviv, with no reports of casualties or damage. The military struck the southern Lebanon launch site.

Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani described the missile as having a “heavy warhead” but did not confirm Hezbollah’s claims. He dismissed their assertion of targeting Mossad as “psychological warfare.” It marked the first time a projectile from Lebanon reached central Israel, escalating regional hostilities.

The Qader missile, an Iranian-made medium-range ballistic missile, can carry up to 800 kilograms of explosives. Israel reported striking 280 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon by early afternoon Wednesday, including rocket launchers aimed at Safed and Nahariya.

Israel prepares for a possible ground operation in Lebanon.

This comes as Hezbollah rocket fire hit multiple homes in northern Israel. The terrorist group launched a missile toward Tel Aviv for the first time, but it was intercepted by Israel’s defense system. pic.twitter.com/1SNtjPua4G

— NTD Television (@TelevisionNTD) September 26, 2024

Families fleeing the conflict have crowded into Beirut and Sidon, seeking shelter in schools, cars, parks, and along the beach. Some attempted to leave the country, causing traffic jams at the Syrian border. The U.N. reported over 90,000 people displaced by five days of Israeli strikes, with 200,000 displaced since Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel nearly a year ago.

Hezbollah’s recent rocket fire into northern Israel has disrupted life for over 1 million people, closing schools and businesses, and restricting public gatherings. Israel has redeployed troops from Gaza to the northern border, confronting Hezbollah’s arsenal of 150,000 rockets and missiles. Cross-border fire increased after the bombing of pagers and walkie-talkies, which killed 39 and injured nearly 3,000, mostly civilians. Lebanon blamed Israel, which neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

The next day, Israeli warplanes struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets, destroying various weapons and resulting in the highest one-day death toll in Lebanon since the 2006 conflict.