-
Israeli Air Force prepares to support ground operation for invasion of southern Lebanon
-
Israeli military movements indicate potential expansion of conflict, which could lead to serious consequences for the stability of the entire region
Following the Israeli occupation army's announcement of simulating a ground attack on southern Lebanon and conducting maneuvers near the border, the same announcement was repeated. Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar emphasized that his forces are preparing to support troops in the north during ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
On Thursday, he added that his forces would make efforts to stop any transfer of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah, confirming that the mission to prevent weapons from reaching Hezbollah is a top priority for the Israeli occupation army. He also claimed that Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah's ability to recover is linked to the open line from Iran.
Bar told soldiers, according to a video clip published by the Israeli occupation army, "We are preparing side by side with the Northern Command for a ground maneuver. We're ready if it's activated. This is a decision to be made by the high command."
The video came hours after the Israeli occupation army announced that it had simulated a ground attack on southern Lebanon. In a statement on Thursday, it explained that it carried out a drill simulating a ground maneuver in Lebanon, adding that the 7th Brigade's exercises took place a few kilometers from the Lebanese border.
This coincided with a new wave of Israeli strikes and raids on the south today, targeting several areas including the city of Tyre and Nabatieh, as well as Qana, Qadmus, Al-Burj Al-Shamali, Siddiqin, and others.
This wave followed a violent and bloody night in the Bekaa (eastern Lebanon), after the United States and its allies proposed a 21-day ceasefire between Hezbollah and the Israeli side.
The southern suburb of Beirut was also subjected to a raid targeting "Hadi Nasrallah" road, near the Al-Jamous area where Ibrahim Aqeel, the commander of Hezbollah's Radwan unit, was assassinated last week. A huge explosion was heard in the area, with thick plumes of smoke rising.
It's worth noting that these developments came after France and the United States called on Wednesday, following intensive diplomatic consultations at the United Nations, for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to avoid the situation spiraling out of control, in a call joined by Arab and European countries.
However, Benjamin Netanyahu's statements on Thursday did not show positive signs, especially with his confirmation that the raids on Hezbollah are continuing and intensifying, amid escalating voices within his government opposing the truce, including from the extremist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip on October 7 last year, Hezbollah has entered into confrontations against the Israeli occupation army. However, the conflict took a more dangerous turn last week after Israel detonated thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members, resulting in dozens of deaths and about 3,000 wounded.
This unprecedented explosion operation was followed by raids targeting Hezbollah leaders in various areas of the southern suburb of Beirut. The Israeli escalation has led to the displacement of more than 70,000 Lebanese since last Monday, while hundreds of civilians have also fallen, with the number of victims since last October reaching 1,250, about half of them in recent days.
Levant - Agencies
