The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has given the green light for an “offensive in Lebanon” against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terror group that has been firing at northern Israel since October. The IDF’s Northern Command and Operations Directorate approved operational plans and held a joint situational assessment, which included validating plans for an offensive in Lebanon and increasing the readiness of troops in the field. In a statement, the IDF said:
Today (Tuesday), the Commanding Officer of the Northern Command, MG Ori Gordin, and the Head of the Operations Directorate (J3), MG Oded Basiuk, approved operational plans and held a joint situational assessment in the Northern Command. As part of the situational assessment, operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated, and decisions were taken on the continuation of increasing the readiness of troops in the field.
Israel has been warning of the likelihood of war unless Hezbollah ceases its attacks, and President Joe Biden’s envoy, Amos Hochstein, visited Israel and Lebanon this week in an effort to ease tensions. However, the situation appears to have escalated further.
Hezbollah released footage of potential targets in northern Israel, claiming it was obtained using a surveillance drone that evaded Israeli defenses. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly urged the Biden administration to stop withholding weapons and ammunition, although the White House claimed it was unaware of what he meant.
The situation has led to the evacuation of some 60,000 residents from northern border towns in October, with many remaining internal refugees today. The IDF has deployed up to 100,000 soldiers along the northern border of Israel, and has conducted commando missions inside Lebanon to explore and destroy defenses against a potential larger attack.
