The Israeli commander in charge of operations against Hezbollah says his troops « must be fully prepared for maneuvers and action. »
Israel’s military hinted for the first time Wednesday of possible ground operations against in Lebanon, with a top commander stressing the need to be ready for « maneuvers and action » against the Iran-backed group. This comes after more than a that Lebanese officials say have killed more than 600 people and displaced thousands.
The U.S. has urged Israel to focus on diplomacy rather than escalating its fight with Hezbollah, with concern growing that a full-scale war between the longtime foes could mushroom into a wider conflict that puts American forces in the Middle East at greater risk and destabilizes the volatile region.
« We have entered a new phase of the campaign », Major General Ori Gordin, the Israel Defense Forces commander for the north of the country, said Tuesday, according to a statement released Wednesday by the IDF. Crossfire between the IDF and Hezbollah across Israel’s northern border with Lebanon has ramped up since the U.S.-designated terrorist group’s Hamas allies launched their Oct. 7 massacre, sparking the ongoing .
« The operation began with a significant blow to Hezbollah’s capabilities, focusing on their firepower capabilities, and a very significant hit on the organization’s commanders and operatives. Facing this, we need to change the security situation, and we must be fully prepared for maneuvers and action », Gordin said, speaking with other senior officers as he visited the border region to observe exercises.
It was not immediately clear if Gordin was talking about a ground incursion, which could see Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah in direct combat inside Lebanon for the first time in years.
Hours after his remarks were released, the IDF said two additional brigades were being sent to the northern front, further bolstering the ground force available in the border area with Lebanon to « enable the continuation of the fighting effort against Hezbollah, the defense of the citizens of the State of Israel and the creation of conditions for the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes. » »Escalate to deescalate »
Briefing reporters on Tuesday, a senior U.
