The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that it had approved operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon, signaling a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. This decision follows a situational assessment aimed at increasing troop readiness in the field.
The approval of these plans comes as Israel and Hezbollah intensify their rhetoric, raising concerns about the possibility of an all-out war. Israeli officials have warned the Iran-backed Hezbollah that it would face severe destruction in the event of a “total war.” Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated, “We are very close to the moment when we will decide to change the rules of the game against Hezbollah and Lebanon. In a total war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be hit hard.”
The announcement from the IDF coincided with the release of a nine-minute video by Hezbollah, showing drone footage purportedly taken over northern Israel, including parts of the city and port of Haifa. The footage has been interpreted as a direct threat, exacerbating the already tense situation.
US envoy Amos Hochstein, currently in the region, has called for urgent de-escalation. During his visit to Beirut, Hochstein emphasized the need for a quick and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. “The conflict… between Israel and Hezbollah has gone on for long enough,” he said. “It’s in everyone’s interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically — that is both achievable and it is urgent.”
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