The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it was entering another phase of preparation for war on its northern border with Lebanon due to ongoing clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been targeting Israeli positions near the border in support of Hamas militants engaging in conflict with Israel in Gaza.
Israel has been increasing its strikes into Lebanese territory and targeting Hezbollah commanders. They have also been conducting strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria, raising concerns of a potential all-out war. The Israeli army has completed a readiness phase in preparation for war on the Lebanon front.
Recent Israeli strikes targeted Hezbollah forces in Khiam and a command center near Tyre. There have also been strikes in Kawkaba and Meiss El Jabal in southern Lebanon in response to rocket attacks towards the Golan Heights. Experts have differing opinions on the likelihood of a full-scale war in the region.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has stated that his movement has not yet used its main weapons and will only cease attacks when the conflict in Gaza ends. Additional strikes by Israel targeted sites in the Bekaa Valley, around 80 kilometers from the Israeli frontier, after a drone was shot down in the region.
Iranian leaders have promised retaliation for the strike on their embassy in Damascus, which resulted in the death of seven Revolutionary Guards. Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that the army is prepared to react to any scenario involving Iran.
