he Chief of the Israeli Army has directed troops to be on alert for a potential incursion into Lebanon

 

The Chief of the Israeli Army has directed troops to be on alert for a potential incursion into Lebanon. "The sound of planes can be heard in our vicinity as attacks continue throughout the day." The Israel Defense Forces Chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, instructed a tank brigade to be ready for a potential ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This statement was made as Israeli warplanes conducted numerous strikes in Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that military operations against Hezbollah would not cease until northern residents can safely return home. Hezbollah recently claimed to have targeted Israel's Mossad spy agency headquarters near Tel Aviv, marking the first time they have fired a ballistic missile in nearly a year of conflicts following the Gaza war. Lebanon's health minister reported that 51 people were killed and 223 injured in retaliatory Israeli strikes, including in areas outside of Hezbollah's usual strongholds. Israel reported targeting 60 Hezbollah intelligence sites, along with numerous other locations in Lebanon. President Biden issued a warning in Washington about the potential for an "all-out war" following Israel's troop alert for a potential ground operation.

Biden expressed the view that the region could still achieve a settlement that could lead to significant change. While he mentioned a possibility of a ceasefire in Lebanon, he also advised against exaggerating this prospect. Stressing that a full-scale war is not in anyone's interest, Biden emphasized the United States' support for Israel. Cross-border clashes escalated after Israeli airstrikes on Monday resulted in casualties, marking the deadliest day of violence in Lebanon since the civil war of 1975-1990. Nour Hamad, a student in Baalbek, described feeling overwhelmed by fear and sleeplessness. Sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following a missile launch by Hezbollah. Resident Hedva Fadlon expressed the challenges faced in the current situation. 

We are experiencing pressure and tension. "I believe no one in the world desires to live in such conditions," stated US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, who expressed deep concern over Hezbollah's attack on Tel Aviv. He emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution to de-escalate tensions and prevent a full-scale war. The Israeli military reported conducting strikes on "over 280 Hezbollah targets" in Lebanon, with ongoing operations targeting the terrorist group. The army highlighted the targeting of 60 Hezbollah intelligence directorate sites by fighter jets and the mobilization of two reserve brigades for operations in the northern region to combat Hezbollah. Despite the crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remained defiant. The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting in New York to address the critical situation, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging global alarm over the escalating conflict. Lebanon is on the verge, declared an official. The United Nations' International Organization for Migration disclosed on Wednesday that 90,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes in Lebanon this week alone. Notably, the majority of these displaced persons are part of the 111,000 individuals who have been displaced since October. "It is probable that individuals have been relocated involuntarily," stated the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Hezbollah verified on Tuesday that Israel had eliminated its leader of rocket forces, Ibrahim Kobeissi, in an attack on Beirut.

Prime Minister Netanyahu postponed his trip to New York until Thursday, where he is also scheduled to address the General Assembly.

Despite international appeals for moderation, Israel's leader has refused to heed them.

"We are committed to persistently targeting Hezbollah... "The individual who possesses a missile in their living quarters and a rocket within their domicile will find themselves without a residence," he declared on Tuesday.

Iran, the primary supporter of Hezbollah, denounced Israel's airstrikes, with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stating that the recent deaths of Hezbollah leaders would not defeat the group.

"Some of Hezbollah's capable and esteemed members were martyred, resulting in damage to the group. However, this setback is not significant enough to weaken the organization," he remarked.

Elusive attempts at achieving a ceasefire

Although there have been frequent skirmishes along the Israel-Lebanon border for the past year, tensions escalated significantly last week following coordinated explosions blamed on Israel by Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of 39 individuals and injuries to nearly 3,000.

Subsequently, Israel conducted an airstrike in Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut, killing a senior military commander along with other combatants and civilians.

Efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza, which are considered crucial in halting the escalation in Lebanon, have so far not progressed.

Critics have accused Netanyahu of deliberately prolonging Gaza ceasefire negotiations and prolonging the conflict in order to appease extremist coalition partners.

The conflict in Gaza was initiated by Hamas on October 7 with an attack on Israel, leading to the deaths of 1,205 individuals, primarily civilians, as reported by AFP based on Israeli official statistics including hostages who died while in captivity.

Out of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas operatives, 97 remain detained in Gaza, including 33 individuals confirmed deceased by the Israeli military.

Israel's retaliatory military actions have resulted in the deaths of at least 41,495 people in Gaza, the majority of whom are civilians, according to figures released by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled region. The figures have been deemed reliable by the United Nations.