Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is ready for an intense operation along the border with Lebanon, where there have been daily exchanges of fire with Hezbollah fighters. The clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Hamas ally, have escalated recently with Israeli strikes going deeper into Lebanese territory. Netanyahu emphasized the need to restore security in the north during a visit to the border area.
Netanyahu’s coalition partners National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have called for urgent action to address the security situation in northern Israel. Ben Gvir urged for the destruction of Hezbollah strongholds, while Smotrich proposed moving the security strip to southern Lebanon, including a ground invasion and occupation of the territory.
The violence since early October has resulted in at least 455 deaths in Lebanon, including fighters and civilians, while on the Israeli side, at least 14 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed.
