Israel is intensifying its readiness for a possible full-scale confrontation with Hezbollah amidst escalating tensions, Bloomberg reports.
In response to ongoing cross-border skirmishes with the Lebanon-based group, Israel is bolstering its military capabilities in the north of the country.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are conducting additional exercises for ground, naval, and aerial units, with local leaders briefed on measures to expedite readiness for sustained combat.
Wednesday saw Israel striking approximately 40 Hezbollah-affiliated sites in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation following Hezbollah’s recent incursion into Israeli territory.
The conflict’s escalation parallels heightened animosity between Israel and Iran, with Hezbollah and Hamas—both Iranian proxies—embroiled in the turmoil. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, affirmed dedication to the resistance following an attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, attributed to Israel by Tehran.
Tens of thousands of civilians have been evacuated from settlements along the Israeli-Lebanese border in anticipation of potential hostilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated the national imperative of ousting Hezbollah from southern Lebanon, citing a UN Security Council resolution from the aftermath of the 2006 war.
Netanyahu has affirmed Israel’s commitment to enforcing the no-go zone near the border, emphasizing diplomatic or military means to achieve this objective.
