Allisreal News
Israeli soldiers prepare to enter Lebanon, Oct. 1, 2024 (Photo: Screenshot/IDF)
A new phase of Israel’s war against Hezbollah is underway, the IDF has confirmed early Tuesday.
“In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” read statement from the IDF’s spokesperson. “These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.”
It added, “The IDF is operating according to a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command which IDF soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months. The Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area.”
The announcement followed reports signaling that a ground Israeli incursion into Lebanon was imminent. U.S. media reports quoting American officials, saying that Jerusalem informed Washington of the anticipated move.
Days after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the country’s war cabinet has given a green light for an operation on Lebanese soil, according to YNET. Some ministers reportedly expressed their dismay over alleged leaks from the United States about the IDF’s intentions.
The U.S. State Department said on Monday afternoon that Israel is “currently carrying out limited operations along the border.”
U.S. President Joe Biden was asked by reporters if he is comfortable with reports that Israel is preparing for a ground operation in Lebanon. The president replied: “I’m more aware than you might know and I’m comfortable with them stopping. We should have a ceasefire now.”
Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant spoke to troops situated near the northern border on Monday, hinting that the expansion of the operation was imminent.
“The elimination of Nasrallah is a very important step, but it is not the final one,” Gallant said. “We will employ all the capabilities at our disposal, and if someone on the other side did not understand what those capabilities entail, we mean all capabilities, and you are part of this effort.”
He stressed, “Our goal is to ensure the [safe] return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. We are prepared to make every effort necessary to accomplish this mission. We will use all the means that may be required – your forces, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and on land.”
Meanwhile, Arabic media reported that IDF tanks and artillery units were operating in southern Lebanon.
IDF spokesperson in Arabic, Avichay Adraee, has called on resident of the southern suburbs of Beirut to evacuate from specific buildings.
“You are located near depots and facilities belonging to the terrorist group Hezbollah, and therefore the IDF will act against them forcefully,” he said.
#عاجل ‼️ انذار عاجل إلى سكان الضاحية الجنوبية في بيروت
إلى جميع المتواجدين في المباني المحددة في الخرائط المحددة والمباني المجاورة لها في الأحياء التالية:
⭕️الليلكي
⭕️حارة حريك
⭕️برج البراجنةأنتم متواجدون بالقرب من مصالح ومنشآت تابعة لحزب الله الإرهابي ولذلك سوف يعمل جيش… pic.twitter.com/N60UKlRxmV
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) September 30, 2024
Earlier in the day, the IDF announced that it carried out successful targeted strikes, eliminating three leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Lebanon. In another precise strike, Hamas’s leader in the country, Fatah Sharif Abu al-Amin, was targeted. He was responsible for coordinating Hamas’ terror activities in Lebanon with Hezbollah operatives, and also served as the head of UNRWA’s Teachers Union in the country.
Overall, the IDF assassinated the majority of Hezbollah commanders, including Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the organization’s Secretary General who had led Hezbollah for 32 years.
