Israel is preparing to launch a broad military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon
By Bernie,
Israel is preparing to launch a broad military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with senior officials warning the conflict is heading toward "serious escalation" and may require additional reserve mobilization, Ynet reports.
The IDF had prepared a major surprise operation against Hezbollah in recent months, designed to decapitate the group's leadership and destroy its command, control, and rocket infrastructure in a single powerful blow. However, the plan was postponed twice by Israel's political leadership. When the war with Iran began, Hezbollah initially hesitated but ultimately joined the fight, and Israel lost the element of surprise. Most Israeli aircraft, drones, and strike units were allocated to the Iranian front, leaving the IDF unable to execute its original plan against Hezbollah.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered the Golani Brigade to redeploy from Gaza to Lebanon to support an expanded ground operation. Three division headquarters are currently operating in the area. Israel now maintains 18 fortified positions deep inside southern Lebanon in addition to the five permanent outposts it held before the war, with forces tasked with hunting Radwan operatives.
"Hezbollah wants to create a new equation in which Israeli enforcement policy in Lebanon stops entirely and we no longer strike," a senior Israeli official said. "That will not happen. Therefore, the entire situation is heading toward serious escalation." Officials say Hezbollah believes that by dragging Israel deeper into Lebanon, it can force a reduction in pressure on the Iranian campaign. "But we can manage both fronts simultaneously," the official added.
With the United States expected to intensify its strikes in Iran, the IDF may begin shifting more resources back to the Lebanese front. The question of how to allocate forces between the two theaters is now at the center of discussions led by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Topics: Iran, Lebanon & Hezbollah, Gaza
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