Israeli commandos have reportedly conducted special forces raids in Lebanon against Hezbollah targets ahead of a possible ground invasion that could come as soon as this week.
On Monday, an airstrike hit a residential building, wiping out one apartment, damaging others, and killing three Palestinian militants in central Beirut, as Israel appeared to send a clear message that no part of Lebanon is out of bounds.
An Israeli official, speaking to the The Daily Telegraph, said that elite troops are focusing on Hezbollah infrastructure, including weapons sites and command and control centers. These operations aim to push the militant group away from Israel's northern border. "They are targeting key sites which have been built across the border zone," the official told the newspaper.
The Wall Street Journal further reported that Israeli commandos are now engaging in operations inside Hezbollah's network of tunnels. These underground facilities have long been a key component of Hezbollah's defense strategy, allowing fighters to move and launch attacks covertly. According to the report, a full-scale ground incursion into Lebanon appears increasingly likely.
Israel's decision to step up its attacks comes on the heels of the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's longtime leader, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday. The group has since confirmed Nasrallah's death, with Hezbollah stating that it would choose a new leader "sooner rather than later."
In a televised address, Naim Kassem, Hezbollah's deputy chief, sent his condolences to fighters killed alongside Nasrallah in the attack. Kassem vowed that Hezbollah would emerge victorious in its confrontation with Israel, just as it claimed it had done during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. He also declared that Hezbollah forces would be ready to fight Israeli troops if a ground invasion occurs. "Israel was not able to affect our (military) capabilities," Kassem said, adding that Hezbollah anticipated "the battle could be long."
"The question now is what the U.S. will do, and I just hope the U.S. doesn't get involved and pull us back," an Israeli intelligence source told the Telegraph. While the U.S. has publicly supported Israel in its defense, its involvement in a potential wider conflict in Lebanon remains uncertain.
This strategy mirrors Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip earlier in 2023. In the weeks leading up to its full-scale invasion of Gaza in late October, Israeli forces conducted targeted raids on Hamas positions to weaken its defenses. These incursions helped pave the way for the more extensive military operation that followed.
Israel's northern front with Hezbollah has been relatively quiet compared to its frequent clashes with Hamas in Gaza. However, Nasrallah's assassination could change the dynamic, possibly drawing Hezbollah into a more direct confrontation. Any Israeli ground invasion in Lebanon risks escalating tensions across the region, especially with Iran, Hezbollah's primary backer.
As tensions escalate, Israeli forces are reportedly strengthening their presence along the northern border. Both sides are preparing for what could be a broader regional conflict, as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to prevent a full-scale war.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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