Speaking on behalf of the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee declared on Monday that attacks against homes in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is rumored to keep weapons, will soon occur. This comes after comments made by the Israeli defense minister, who asked Israelis to maintain their composure and hinted that attacks on Hezbollah will intensify.
Alarming calls were made to residents in southern Lebanon, telling them to evacuate as far away as possible from any Hezbollah positions, at least 1,000 meters. Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, a Reuters correspondent in the area verified receiving one of these warnings.
The Israeli military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, repeated this warning in a televised speech and said it was being shown on multiple networks in Lebanon. One of the biggest airstrike campaigns the Israeli military has carried out against Hezbollah in almost a year is currently underway.
The airstrikes target multiple regions, including southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and areas near the Syrian border. These actions come amid intense cross-border fire, coinciding with ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
When questioned about the potential for a ground invasion into Lebanon, Hagari stated, “We will do whatever is needed” to ensure the safe return of evacuated residents from northern Israel. This objective remains a top priority for the Israeli government.
Hagari accused Hezbollah of storing weapons, including cruise missiles, in civilian structures throughout southern Lebanon, emphasizing the risk to local populations. He urged residents to avoid these locations for their safety.
During a media briefing, Hagari presented aerial footage purportedly showing Hezbollah operatives preparing to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house just before an Israeli strike occurred. He labeled this as evidence of Hezbollah's reckless endangerment of civilians.
The escalating tensions and airstrikes indicate a significant deterioration in the security situation along the Israel-Lebanon border, exacerbated by the broader conflict involving Hamas. The Israeli military's actions reflect a strategy aimed at diminishing Hezbollah's capabilities while addressing the immediate threats to Israeli residents.
