The situation in southern Lebanon is declining quickly, while Israel intensifies its bombings and prepares a possible terrestrial foray.
This Monday, Israeli artillery and tanks targeted the cities of Khiyam, Kfar Kila and Al-Wazzani in what appears to be the startof a land invasion in the region. The Israeli command has furthermore decided to create a closed military area north of Israel.
Intensive bombardments and mobilization of troops
According to Israeli military sources, an intense bombardment was led from the Metula region towards Khiyam, in southern Lebanon. The tanks and the artillery have hit several localities, including Khiyam, Kfar Kila, Al-Wazzani and Adaisseh, triggering concerns about a possible trigger for a terrestrial operation.
The Israeli army radio reported that massive fire from the Metula region. In parallel, the American channel NBC stated that Israel had deployed five brigades along the Lebanese border while specifying that not all should be engaged in the fighting.
An imminent earthly assault
According to an American official cited by NBC, Israel has already begun recognition operations and the deployment of engineers for obstacle-crossing missions. The same source specifies that the Israeli operation could start in the forthcoming hours and last just a few days, targeting a limited perimeter.
Israeli representatives likewise told the Axios channel that they were preparing for an “imminent terrestrial invasion” aimed at the villages close to the Lebanese border. The purpose would be to “clean” the border area to allow the return of the tens of thousands of residents.
Closed military zone and strengthening of defences
The Israeli army officially announced the creation of a closed military zone in the localities of Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi, located north of Israel. “We are strengthening the defences along the contact line and we are preparing for the next phases of the fight,” said the Israeli army. Exercises were also carried out by the 188 brigade near the border to prepare for possible fights.
According to the Israeli daily Maariv, the declaration of this closed military zone could comprise a preparatory phase with a view to a land operation. The debate on this potential foray into Lebanon would also be on the agenda at the current meeting of the Israeli security firm, according to the newspaper Israel Hayom.
International reactions
US President Joe Biden confirmed to be aware of Israel’s preparations for a possible land foray in southern Lebanon. However, he voiced his wish that military operations between Israel and Hezbollah would stop.
For his part, an American official told The Washington Post that Israel had notified the United States of his intention to carry out a land operation limited to Lebanon. It would be more limited than the war against Hezbollah led in 2006 and would specifically seek to “clean” Hezbollah’s infrastructure to eliminate any threat to the northern border. The Israeli operation would comply with deals with the United States, the two countries that have agreed to avoid repetition of the situation observed in Gaza.
Hezbollah on alert
Hezbollah, on the other hand, remains on alert. In his first public speech since the assassination of the party leader, Hassan Nasrallah, the vice-secretary general, Naïm Kassem, ensured that Hezbollah fighters were ready to face any land foray. “Israel will not reach its goals,” he said, saying that Hezbollah’s forces were ready to engage in an earthly fight.
While the Minister of Israeli Defense, Yoav Gallant, suggested that a land invasion was imminent, military sources report that Israeli units, including special forces, have already made limited incursions in southern Lebanon to Prepare the ground for a potential offensive.
An explosive situation
The context pledges to be explosive while Israel mobilizes its forces and strengthens its defences along the northern border. The region is now prey to a major climb, the outcome of which could have heavy consequences on the stability of the whole Middle East.
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