Israel prepares for northern front conflict, targets Hezbollah
Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Gen. Herzi Halevi, approved a war plan for the northern front. The army announced this decision on Thursday, also informing the public about an ongoing series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon aimed at weakening Hezbollah.
The army's statement was issued just before a speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, which took place following a series of coordinated electronic device explosions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
As a result of these explosions in various parts of Lebanon, at least 37 people were killed, and about 3,000 were injured.
In statements issued after the explosions, Hezbollah accused Israel of carrying out the attacks and vowed retaliation.
Israel enters "new phase of war"
The explosions coincided with another escalation of tensions along the Israel-Hezbollah line, raising concerns about the outbreak of a regional war. Media speculate that authorities in Jerusalem may decide on a ground operation in southern Lebanon.
Since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, Iran-backed Hezbollah has regularly shelled northern Israel, to which Israel responds with fire. The mutual shelling has led to the evacuation of over 100,000 civilians from both sides of the border.
On Monday, the Israeli government deemed halting Hezbollah's attacks on the north of the country and enabling the return of tens of thousands of evacuees as the official goal of the war. On Wednesday, Defense Minister Yoav Galant declared that Israel is entering a "new phase of war" and is concentrating its forces in the north of the country.
