IDF forces began a targeted ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon last night. The IDF will focus on a number of nearby villages which, according to the IDF spokesman, pose an immediate and real threat to Israeli settlements on the northern border.
A senior IDF official noted that the American government leaked details of the op even before it had begun, thus endangering the IDF forces: "We didn't like it. It is clear to us that the United States is concerned - and therefore they are trying to limit the ground op."
The Biden administration expressed support for the military action, "We support Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah," the White House said. This morning (Wednesday), Kan Reshet Bet reported that Israeli officials told American officials that the Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon will not last for a long period of time and that it has a specific, focused goals.
The IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari told the international media that "We will not allow the 7th October to happen again on any of our borders. We will do everything that we have to do to ensure that the residents of the North can return to their homes."
Hagari also elaborated on the IDF's operations in Southern Lebanon and explained that "We are carrying out limited, targeted raids along Israel's Northern border against the threat that Hezbollah poses to the residents of the North. These local ground raids will target Hezbollah strongholds that threaten Israeli cities, kibbutzim and communities.
Hagari spoke about Hezbollah's 'Operation Conquer the Galilee', in which Hezbollah planned to use villages as bases for a ground invasion of Israel similar to the October 7 massacre, to invade Israel, attack Israeli settlements and to massacre innocent men, women and children."
