The Israeli military is gearing up for a possible ground invasion of Lebanon, as intensive airstrikes continued for the third consecutive day.
The escalation comes amid rocket attacks by militants targeting Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Eilat.
Israeli Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, instructed his forces to prepare for a potential ground assault, noting that the ongoing air raids have significantly weakened Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Speaking during a visit to northern border training exercises, Halevi emphasized that these airstrikes are laying the groundwork for a possible ground incursion into Lebanon, aimed at further diminishing Hezbollah’s strength.
In a related development, Uri Gordin, commander of Israel’s Northern Command, revealed that two additional reserve brigades are being mobilized to reinforce the northern front.
He stressed the importance of being fully prepared for a ground maneuver, as the military enters a new phase of its operations. Gordin highlighted that Israel must change the current security landscape and prepare for ground activities.
The escalating conflict has forced nearly 60,000 residents to flee their homes in northern Israel, as Hezbollah continues its near-daily attacks.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah sources indicated that the group is fully prepared to confront any potential ground invasion by Israeli forces.
Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firas Al-Abyad, confirmed that Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday resulted in 51 fatalities and over 200 injuries. The total death toll in Lebanon has risen to approximately 600 since the conflict intensified earlier this week.
Hezbollah’s activity has not only provoked intensified Israeli airstrikes but also led to a new development in the conflict.
For the first time, Hezbollah launched an attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. The Israeli military reported that it successfully intercepted a rocket fired by Hezbollah aimed at the city.
Later in the evening, the southern Israeli coastal city of Eilat was hit by two drone strikes. According to Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, one drone was intercepted, while the other crashed into the port, causing an explosion that injured two people and ignited a fire.
This surge in hostilities has raised concerns of a broader regional conflict as both sides intensify their military actions. Israel’s preparation for a possible ground offensive signals a significant escalation, while Hezbollah’s capability to strike deep into Israeli territory highlights the growing danger of the ongoing conflict.
