The Israeli military has deployed additional tanks and armored vehicles to its northern border with Lebanon, signaling preparations for an imminent ground offensive. It follows Israel directing its forces to prepare for a possible incursion into Lebanon as it steps up its offensive against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Top Israeli officials have warned that Lebanon could meet the same fate as Gaza if Hezbollah continues its rocket attacks. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, speaking to troops, said, “We are attacking Hezbollah from the air and from the sea… and you must prepare for a ground attack”.
Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in open conflict since the bombings of pagers and walkie-talkies used by the group on 17 and 18 September, which were reportedly orchestrated by Israel. Since then, more than 700 people, including women and children, have been killed in Lebanon.
Israel-Hezbollah conflict latest developments
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The Israeli military continued heavy aerial bombardment of Lebanon on Friday, raising fears of a Gaza-like situation with widespread displacement and destruction. At least 25 people were killed and dozens injured in today’s attacks. In the past 72 hours, more than 30,000 people, mainly Syrians, have fled from Lebanon to Syria, according to the UN agency.
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According to news agency AP, Israeli military vehicles were seen moving tanks and armored vehicles towards the northern border with Lebanon, as commanders issued a call-up for reserve forces. The army also continued to warn residents to evacuate homes it claims are near Hezbollah ammunition storage sites.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to launch attacks against Hezbollah with “full force” unless the group stops its rocket attacks across the border. “Israel’s policy is clear,” Netanyahu said. “We are continuing to attack Hezbollah with full force.” “And we will not stop until we achieve all our goals, chief among them the safe return of northerners to their homes.”
A man carries a damaged bicycle at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Saqsakih, southern Lebanon. (Photo: AP) -
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis targeted Israel’s cities of Tel Aviv and Ashkelon with a ballistic missile and a drone on Friday. In a televised speech, the group’s leader Yahya Saareya said, “We will carry out more military operations against the Israeli enemy for the sake of victory for the blood of our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon.”
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The United States, France and other allies have jointly called for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Although Prime Minister Netanyahu initially rejected these peace efforts, he indicated on Friday that the country would continue to push for ceasefire discussions, stressing the need to continue targeting the Iran-backed terrorist group. “Our teams met to discuss the U.S. initiative and how we can advance the shared goal of returning people safely to their homes. We will continue those discussions in the coming days,” he said in a statement. ”
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after his talks with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer that any escalation would make it harder for citizens on both sides of the border to return home. “The Secretary discussed the importance of reaching an agreement on a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border,” the State Department said. “He underlined that further escalation of the conflict will make the objective (of returning civilians) more difficult,” Blinken said.
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Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia formed a global coalition to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The coalition includes several Arab and Muslim countries and European partners, the Saudi state news agency reported, without specifying which countries have committed to joining, news agency Reuters reported.
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More than 200,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, according to the latest estimate by the International Organization for Migration. Lebanon says a total of 1,540 people have been displaced. have since been killed within its borders.
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The United Nations said the “devastating” intensity of Israeli attacks targeting Hezbollah militants had led Lebanon to suffer its deadliest period in years, with hospitals overwhelmed with casualties. “The recent surge in Lebanon is nothing short of devastating,” news agency AFP quoted Imran Riza, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, as saying. “We are witnessing the deadliest period in Lebanon in a generation and many fear this is just the beginning,” Riza said.
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Seeing the worsening situation, many countries have started preparations to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon. The Philippines has announced plans to evacuate 11,000 civilians if Israeli forces cross the border for a ground attack. Japan also said it would send military aircraft for evacuation and urged its citizens to leave the country, while commercial flights were still operating.
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