Israel has signaled a potential ground invasion of Lebanon as hostilities with Hezbollah intensify following the eruption of conflict in Gaza last year. This warning comes as U.S. President Joe Biden cautioned about the risks of an “all-out war” in the Middle East.
In recent days, Israel’s military has claimed to have struck over 2,000 Hezbollah positions across Lebanon. The army’s chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, informed a tank brigade that preparations were underway for a possible incursion into Lebanese territory, as indicated in a statement released on Wednesday.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to military operations against Hezbollah, emphasizing that these actions would persist until residents in northern Israel, displaced by cross-border skirmishes, could safely return to their homes.
The escalation of conflict was further fueled by Hezbollah’s announcement that it had targeted Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency headquarters near Tel Aviv. This marked the first instance of the militant group firing a ballistic missile during the ongoing clashes, which have been linked to the Gaza war initiated by Hamas’s attack on Israeli towns on October 7, 2022.
While the U.S. government, a staunch ally of Israel, indicated that it does not foresee an imminent ground operation, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed there was no immediate indication of such action. Nonetheless, President Biden warned that “an all-out war is possible,” highlighting the precarious situation in the region.
In response to the escalating violence, a coalition of nations—including the U.S., France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—issued a joint statement calling for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also urged an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, describing the situation as reaching a critical point. Iran, Hezbollah’s primary supporter, condemned Israel’s military actions, labeling the situation in the Middle East as a “full-scale catastrophe” and pledging to support Lebanon through all available means should Israel escalate its offensive.
In light of the growing tensions, India has advised its citizens against traveling to Lebanon and recommended that Indian nationals currently residing there consider leaving the country. The Indian Embassy in Beirut issued a cautionary statement urging extreme vigilance amidst the unfolding crisis.
