The ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. On Monday, September 30, US President Biden called for a ceasefire in Lebanon, but a US official indicated that the deployment of Israeli forces suggests that a ground assault on Hezbollah militants may be imminent. The Israeli Defense Minister announced that the next steps in the battle against Hezbollah will commence.
Two weeks prior, Israel launched airstrikes that killed Hezbollah commanders, including leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli officials stated that all necessary measures would be taken to allow around 70,000 citizens who had been evacuated from communities in northern Israel to return home. Previously, Hezbollah had begun firing rockets on October 8 last year to support Hamas, which had launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza a day earlier.
On Monday evening, the Israeli military declared military zones around three northern towns bordering Lebanon—Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi. These towns are located in the northernmost part of Israel, surrounded on three sides by Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed the regional council leaders in northern Israel that the “next phase” of the conflict with Hezbollah would start soon. He emphasized that the conflict with Hezbollah is a necessary condition to ensure the return of residents to their homes in northern Israel.
Gallant mentioned that he had visited Israeli troops and met with military commanders along the Lebanon border, stating that they are fully prepared, strong, and closely cooperating.
The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Monday that Israeli fighter jets destroyed Hezbollah surface-to-air missile launchers deployed near Beirut International Airport. These launchers have a range of over 31 miles and can hit four targets simultaneously.
A US official indicated that following discussions between the two countries over the weekend, Israel may soon launch a more limited ground invasion in southern Lebanon than originally planned. This limited invasion would target Hezbollah infrastructure near the Israeli border. According to CNN, Israeli special forces have conducted small-scale incursions into Lebanese territory in recent days as part of their preparations for a potential ground assault.
After military operations in Lebanese villages along the border (known as the Blue Line), Israeli forces are expected to withdraw back into Israeli territory. US officials believe that this action, unlike Israel’s 34-day military operation in Lebanon in 2006, will be a significantly scaled-down operation.
Sources caution that while the initial action may only be a limited incursion, there is a possibility of it evolving into a larger-scale military operation in the long run. US officials are discussing these issues with Israeli authorities.
Satellite images show approximately 100 Israeli military vehicles, ranging from tanks to trucks and armored personnel carriers, gathered in a makeshift staging area about five miles from the Lebanese border in fields. The images were captured on Sunday, with Israeli Defense Forces vehicles starting to arrive at the Lebanon border after September 26.
To protect the anonymity of sources, CNN did not publish the satellite images. The staging area is located in farmland, with ongoing arrivals of Israeli Defense Forces vehicles visible at the site. A large truck carrying tanks is seen on a nearby main road.
On Monday, US President Biden strongly urged Israel to cease special operations on Lebanese territory. When asked if he was satisfied with these actions, Biden told reporters, “I know more than you might know, and I am willing to have them stop attacking.”
“It’s time to cease fire now,” he added.
Several top aides support Biden’s call for a ceasefire and urge that the violent incidents be resolved through diplomatic means to allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis and Lebanese to return to their homes on the border.
US Secretary of State Blinken stated at a State Department meeting that the US “will continue to work with our partners in the region and around the world to advance diplomatic solutions.”
The US Ambassador to the United Nations also called for continued diplomatic efforts to halt violence in Lebanon and Gaza.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters, “We are looking for a path to peace that ensures security for both Palestinians and Israelis, as well as safety for the Lebanese and Israelis living in the northern border areas.”