israeli-military-approves-lebanon-offensive-plans

Even amid heightened concerns globally over Middle East tensions intensifying, the Israeli military has announced that operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon had been "approved and validated." 

The move follows recent cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, according to official reports.
Senior Israeli military officials conducted a joint situational assessment in the Northern Command, during which they reviewed and sanctioned these plans.

 

 "As part of the situational assessment, operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated," the military said in a statement. "Decisions were taken on the continuation of increasing the readiness of troops in the field."

 

This strategic decision coincides with a stark warning from Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to Hezbollah.

 

 Katz cautioned that Hezbollah would face total destruction in the event of a full-scale war between the two entities.

 

"We are very close to the moment when we will decide to change the rules of the game against Hezbollah and Lebanon,” Katz said.

 

In a total war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be hit hard, read a statement from his office.

 

Israeli officials have intensified their rhetoric against Hamas and Hezbollah, as the government grapples with mounting challenges both domestically and abroad.

 

Protests have erupted within Israel, with demonstrators burning tents to signal their dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza conflict and the government's failure to secure a ceasefire deal for hostage release.

 

Tensions have also escalated on the Lebanese front. Earlier this week, Hezbollah launched over 200 rockets and drones into Israeli territory, adding fuel to the already volatile situation.

In Gaza, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have faced significant losses during operations in Rafah. Hamas military wing representative Abu Obeidah claimed that they had "killed eight Israeli soldiers in Rafah," a statement later confirmed by Israeli authorities.

 

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the death toll surpassing 37,000, the majority of whom are civilians, including women and children. The ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences for the region.