JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel was “prepared for a very intense operation” along the border with Lebanon, where Israeli troops have exchanged near-daily fire with Hezbollah fighters.
Netanyahu’s remarks came during a visit to the border area, where the conflict has intensified over the past week, with Israel conducting strikes deeper into Lebanese territory. “We are prepared for a very intense operation in the north. One way or another, we will restore security to the north,” Netanyahu said.
The ongoing exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have raised concerns of a potential escalation in hostilities in the region. Hezbollah, in a retaliatory move, claimed to have launched several attacks on Israeli positions, including a strike on an “Iron Dome platform” in the Ramot Naftali barracks.
In recent weeks, Israel has escalated its targeting of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, particularly focusing on persons traveling in cars and on motorbikes. Netanyahu’s coalition partners, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have called for urgent action to restore security to northern Israel.
Ben Gvir, in a statement on Tuesday, urged for aggressive measures against Hezbollah, emphasizing the need to target Hezbollah strongholds. Smotrich similarly advocated for a significant military operation, calling for the establishment of a security strip extending into southern Lebanon.
The violence since early October has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with at least 455 people killed in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, at least 14 soldiers have been killed, as reported by the army.
