Israel is preparing for entry into Lebanon to “continue degrading Hezbollah”, its Army Chief General Herzi Halevi told troops stationed at the Israel-Lebanese border. The Army Chief said that air strikes in the neighbouring country would continue as a measure to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
“You hear the jets overhead; we have been striking all day,” General Halevi told Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from the military. “This is both to prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah.”
As per reports, Israeli warplanes carried out over 50 raids in various parts of Lebanon.
“About 50 raids were recorded on the village of Arqoub, the towns of Marjeyoun, Bint Jbeil, and Jezzine, and the cities of Sidon, Tyre, and Nabatieh in southern Lebanon,” an unnamed source told Xinhua News Agency.
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The Israeli jets struck Hezbollah sites, an evacuation centre and civilian homes. Reports said over 60 homes were destroyed. The airstrikes also caused extensive damage to the electricity network.
This morning, Israel bombed numerous villages and towns in Lebanon in what is considered the most extensive airstrike on the country since 2006. Israeli warplanes penetrated as far as 250 kilometers into Lebanese territory, repeatedly targeting more than 120 villages and towns. pic.twitter.com/sskrzQtWVV
— Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) September 23, 2024
Since the start of the week, Israel has ramped up its attack on Lebanon, causing over 550 deaths and more than 1,800 injuries on Monday and Tuesday.
The Wednesday attack killed 51 people, as per the Lebanese Health Ministry, who informed that 223 others were injured. Thousands have been displaced due to the raids in the three days.
US, allies call for 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah
Just hours after General Halevi told his troops about the ground offensive plan, the US and France called for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The call was backed by the G7, EU, Australia and three Arab nations.
Reacting to the development, US President Joe Biden has warned of an “all-out” war during an interview. “I don’t want to exaggerate it, but a possibility, if we can deal with a cease-fire in Lebanon, that it can move into dealing with the West Bank, and also in Gaza — and so, it’s possible,” the US President told ABC’s “The View”.
Pres. Biden said that "there needs to be a two-state solution" when speaking on the conflict in the Middle East: "An all-out war is possible, but I think there's also the opportunity still in play to have a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region." #theview pic.twitter.com/NIByd8l9Z6
— The View (@TheView) September 25, 2024
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington and its allies were working tirelessly to avoid a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Risk of escalation in the region is acute … The best answer is diplomacy, and our coordinated efforts are vital to preventing further escalation,” Blinken told Gulf Arab state officials and ministers during a meeting in New York.
