Israel Mobilizes for Possible Ground Operation Against Hezbollah in Lebanon
On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Israel would mobilize all its resources, including ground troops, to achieve its objectives against Hezbollah. This declaration follows a series of intense bombings and suggests that the Israeli army could be preparing for an invasion of Lebanon or at least for military maneuvers beyond those presently underway.
Speaking to infantry and armored brigades stationed at the Lebanon border, Gallant remarked, "The elimination of Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, is a very important step, but it's not the last. We will use all the resources at our disposal and all necessary means: your forces, other forces, via air, sea, and also land."
Gallant is not the first high-ranking Israeli official to discuss a potential ground operation; just a few days ago, Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the Israeli army, stated that the bombings against Hezbollah in Lebanon aim to clear the way for a possible ground operation. However, the timing and manner of such an operation remain unclear.
Israel's formal objective is to secure the northern part of the country, where approximately 60,000 people have fled to escape rocket and missile attacks launched by Hezbollah. Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, the number of displaced individuals has reportedly surged, with about 90,000 people already forced to leave their homes prior to the recent escalation in bombings.
In addition to declarations from Gallant and others, several indications suggest that Israel is gearing up for a ground operation. Recently, the Israeli army has significantly increased its special forces incursions into Lebanese territory. While these special missions have persisted for months, they have intensified lately, potentially forming a prelude to a larger land invasion. Amir Avivi, a former Israeli military officer, remarked to the Wall Street Journal, "The Israeli army has made many preparations for a ground incursion, which always includes special operations as part of the process."
These special forces operations involve small groups of elite soldiers conducting short raids aimed at gathering intelligence on Hezbollah's infrastructure and the layout of its tunnel networks. Similar to Hamas, Hezbollah has developed a network of tunnels along the Israel-Lebanon border for smuggling and military operations, emphasizing the importance of these incursions.
The uptick in these operations signals that Israel may be preparing for a broader ground attack. Recent troop movements also indicate that the Israeli army has shifted some brigades northward, although it is still uncertain whether enough soldiers have been gathered for a traditional invasion. Even if Israel were to restrict its offensive to southern Lebanon—similar to its approach in 2006—thousands of troops would still be needed.
Alternative strategies could involve massive incursions into Lebanese territory without a permanent occupation. However, with ongoing diplomatic pressure, particularly from the United States, urging Israel to refrain from launching a ground invasion, the timing and likelihood of this operation remain highly uncertain. Negotiations with allies are likely continuing as key decisions hang in the balance.
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