By Smartencyclopedia News Staff with Agencies
Tel Aviv – In a significant escalation of Middle Eastern tensions, Israel is preparing for a potential ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This follows days of intense cross-border violence and mounting concerns over an all-out regional war.
Israel’s Army Chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, announced that Israeli troops should brace for possible ground incursions into Lebanon. Addressing a tank brigade, Halevi stated, “We are attacking all day, both to prepare the ground for your entry, but also to continue striking Hezbollah.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these sentiments, pledging that military operations against Hezbollah would continue until northern residents displaced by the conflict could safely return home. Netanyahu assured the public, “We are striking Hezbollah with blows it never imagined… We will not rest until they return home.”
Biden Warns of Escalation
US President Joe Biden has expressed growing concern over the intensifying conflict, warning of the potential for “all-out war” in the region. Speaking to ABC, Biden said, “An all-out war is possible,” but also alluded to diplomatic avenues still being open. “There is a possibility of a Lebanon ceasefire, but I don’t want to exaggerate it,” he added.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, US officials downplayed the likelihood of an imminent Israeli ground operation in Lebanon. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh noted, “It doesn’t look like something is imminent.”
Hezbollah Strikes Tel Aviv
The already volatile situation escalated when Hezbollah launched a ballistic missile targeting Israel’s Mossad headquarters on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. The Qader-1 missile marked Hezbollah’s first-ever use of ballistic weapons in the conflict, sending sirens wailing across the city. Israeli air defense systems, including the David’s Sling, intercepted the missile, preventing any significant damage or casualties.
In retaliation, Israeli forces claimed to have struck more than 2000 Hezbollah targets over the past three days, including 60 Hezbollah intelligence sites. Israel also called up two reserve brigades to bolster its northern operations.
Growing Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns
The conflict has exacted a heavy toll on civilians, particularly in Lebanon. Lebanese officials reported that Israeli strikes had killed 51 people and injured 223, with many more displaced. The United Nations estimated that 90,000 people had been forced to flee their homes due to the escalating violence.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Lebanon was on the brink of further disaster, stating, “We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink.”
In the southern Lebanese city of Baalbek, Nour Hamad, a 22-year-old student, described living in fear. “We spent four or five days without sleep, not knowing if we will wake up in the morning,” she said.
Hezbollah’s Resilience
Despite the mounting military pressure, Hezbollah remains defiant. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed Israel’s attempts to weaken the group, stating that while Hezbollah had suffered losses, “this was not the sort of damage that could bring the group to its knees.”
The possibility of a ceasefire remains elusive, and with the conflict spreading across the region, both Israeli and Lebanese civilians continue to endure the human costs of a war that shows no signs of abating.
Conclusion
As tensions escalate, Israel’s preparations for a ground offensive against Hezbollah signal a dangerous new phase in the ongoing conflict. With the risk of broader regional involvement looming, world leaders, including President Biden, continue to push for diplomatic solutions in hopes of averting a wider war. Yet, on the ground, the violence continues, leaving civilians in both Lebanon and Israel trapped in a cycle of conflict and uncertainty.
For real-time updates on the conflict, stay tuned to international news agencies.