Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a stark warning to Lebanon, suggesting the possibility of a full-scale ground invasion.
This threat comes at a time of heightened military activity along the southern Lebanese border, resulting in 24 injuries and the death of a senior Hezbollah commander.
During a visit to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, Gallant emphasized the shifting focus of Israeli military operations towards the north, indicating preparations for an intensified campaign.
He called on Israeli forces to be ready for an “all-out ground operation at every level” to address the escalating situation along the Lebanese front.
On the ground, the conflict intensified with the killing of Mohammad Qassem Al-Shaer, a senior field commander in Hezbollah’s elite “Radwan Force,” following an Israeli airstrike in Western Bekaa.
In addition to Al-Shaer’s death, 24 individuals were injured in southern Lebanon, including 12 people in the city of Nabatieh after an Israeli airstrike targeted a five-story building.
According to Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, Al-Shaer had been “planning terrorist operations against Israel,” and his elimination represents a significant blow to Hezbollah’s capabilities.
The recent flare-up in southern Lebanon comes amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group based in Lebanon.
Tensions between the two sides have been simmering for decades, largely centered around territorial disputes, Hezbollah’s growing military power, and its alignment with Iran.
Hezbollah’s military wing, which operates in southern Lebanon, has long been viewed by Israel as a significant security threat.
The group’s “Radwan Force,” named after its former leader Imad Mughniyeh, is considered Hezbollah’s elite unit and is responsible for much of its operational activities.
The potential for a broader ground invasion raises the specter of a full-scale conflict, reminiscent of the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, which resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
This escalation is unfolding against a backdrop of broader regional instability, as Israel continues its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which has created ripple effects across neighboring states, particularly Lebanon.
