Israel Defense Force (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has warned Hezbollah that a ground offensive is imminent, stating that Israeli soldiers’ “military boots will enter enemy territory.”
Escalation of Violence
Halevi’s remarks came after Hezbollah fired a missile at central Israel early Wednesday, prompting Israel to respond with airstrikes, which have resulted in 569 fatalities and 1,835 injuries.
Preparations for Ground Invasion
During a drill simulating the invasion, Halevi addressed soldiers of the 7th Armored Brigade.
“You can hear the planes above, we are attacking all day. Both to prepare the area for the possibility of your entry [into Lebanon], and also to continue causing blows to Hezbollah,” Halevi said.
READ MORE: U.S. And Allies Call For 21-Day Ceasefire In Israel-Lebanon Conflict
“Hezbollah today expanded its [range] of fire. Later today, it will receive a very strong response,” he vowed after the terror group fired a missile at central Israel that morning.
“Today we will continue, we do not stop, we continue to attack and continue to strike them everywhere. The goal is a very clear goal, to return the [displaced] residents of the north safely,” Halevi continues. “To do this, we are preparing the [ground] maneuver,” he said to the soldiers.
Strategy for Engagement
Highlighting his strategy of invasion, Halevi stated, “Your military boots will enter enemy territory, enter villages that Hezbollah has prepared as large military outposts, with underground infrastructure, staging points, and launchpads into our territory [from which Hezbollah intends] to carry out attacks on Israeli civilians.”
“Your entry into those areas with force, your encounter with Hezbollah operatives, will show them what it means to face a professional, highly skilled, and battle-experienced force,” he added. “You are coming in much stronger and far more experienced than they are. You will go in, destroy the enemy there, and decisively destroy their infrastructure. These are the things that will enable us to safely return the residents of the north afterward.”
Missile Launch Confirmation
Though it was shot down, Hezbollah confirmed it launched a Qadr 1 ballistic missile targeting the headquarters of Israel’s intelligence service Mossad in Tel Aviv. This is believed to be the first ballistic missile launched by Hezbollah toward Israel.
Casualties in Gaza
In response, Israel conducted airstrikes. In Gaza, the Health Ministry reported that at least 50 Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded in the latest 24-hour reporting period due to various Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave.
Diplomatic Efforts
Meanwhile, an Israeli official indicated that talks over a potential temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah are a main motivator for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
The source noted that Netanyahu, who is currently flying to New York, has not denied reports that the US is pushing for a 21-day ceasefire. The main reason for Netanyahu’s trip is these diplomatic talks, and the message in Israel’s briefings was that “Israel favors a diplomatic solution.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Newsx staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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