The Israeli military announced on Thursday that its top commander, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, had finalized plans for military operations in the “northern arena,” amidst growing concerns of escalating tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This follows a series of deadly attacks in Lebanon, allegedly targeting Hezbollah members, that have further strained the already volatile relationship between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged Israel’s shifting focus towards the north, indicating that the recent events marked the start of a “new era” in the ongoing conflict.
Gallant praised the coordinated efforts of the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad, noting their significant achievements. His remarks came during a visit to the Ramat-David Air Force base, which is strategically located in northern Israel.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah responded to the attacks in a broadcast, commending the Lebanese government, emergency services, and the Lebanese people for their unity in the wake of the twin attacks.
Hassan Nasrallah also condemned this week’s attacks on Hezbollah’s wireless devices, labeling them “massacres” and accusing Israel of deliberately targeting civilians. In his Thursday speech, Nasrallah claimed that the two attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday were designed to kill at least 5,000 people within minutes, calling it a violation of all regulations of warfare.
Nasrallah stated that the explosions occurred in public areas, impacting civilians as well as Hezbollah members, and described the attacks as crossing a “red line.” He emphasized that even if Israel’s intended targets were Hezbollah fighters, the broader impact harmed many innocent people.
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Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Nasrallah called the attacks “unprecedented” in both security and humanitarian terms. He stressed that this blow was unparalleled in the history of Lebanon and perhaps the region’s broader conflict with Israel.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Nasrallah remained defiant, hinting at potential retaliation and underscoring the cyclical nature of the ongoing conflict: “One day the enemy will hit us and the next we will hit the enemy.”
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel that the Lebanese front will “not stop” until hostilities end in Gaza.
“We say to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and to the enemy’s government, army, and society: The Lebanese front will not stop until the aggression on Gaza ceases.
Israel’s military actions come amid suspicions that Hezbollah had discovered an Israeli plan, prompting the attacks. The United States was reportedly informed of Israel’s intentions to conduct an operation in Lebanon, though details were not provided. The situation has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict as tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border continue to rise.
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