IDF approves Lebanon battle plans amid Hezbollah attacks

In response to escalating cross-border skirmishes with Hezbollah, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that the head of the IDF’s Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, and head of the Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk, have approved operational plans for a potential offensive in Lebanon.

During a high-level assessment, the generals reviewed and sanctioned these plans, which include measures to “accelerate the readiness of the forces on the ground,” according to an IDF statement. This development comes amid continuous attacks by Hezbollah and affiliated Palestinian groups from Lebanon into northern Israel, raising concerns about a broader conflict.

Israel has consistently warned against Hezbollah’s entrenchment along its northern border, especially in the wake of the October 7 atrocities.

In related developments, the IDF reported that Israeli air defenses intercepted a suspected drone over the sea near Gesher HaZiv in northern Israel, close to the Lebanese border. The military clarified that no sirens were activated “according to protocol.”

Additionally, IDF fighter jets carried out strikes on several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, hitting infrastructure in Taybeh, Odaisseh, and Jebbayn, as well as a building in Ayta ash-Shab.

“Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be hit hard”

Earlier on Tuesday, Hezbollah released footage purportedly from one of its reconnaissance drones flying over northern Israel, including the Haifa port. The date of the footage was not specified, and the IDF has not commented on the video.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on Tuesday.

We are very close to the moment when we will decide to change the rules of the game against Hezbollah and Lebanon. In a total war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be hit hard.

Israel Katz

Hezbollah launches daily attacks since October 8 in solidarity with Gaza

Hezbollah has been conducting almost daily attacks since October 8, which it claims are in support of Palestinians in their ongoing conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Following Israel’s massacre in Gaza, Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon launched attacks on Israel’s north. Many Jewish settlers were forced to flee northern territories due to Hezbollah’s assaults, prompting Israel to conduct a series of airstrikes in northern Lebanon.

Even ancient catapults were used by Israel in attempts to set fire to forests in Lebanon. Israel also targeted key Hezbollah figures with drone strikes. In the attacks carried out yesterday and today, one Hezbollah member was killed and several others were injured.

Hezbollah announced today that they infiltrated up to 25 kilometers into Israel, reaching Haifa Port. Hezbollah stated they used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to survey military targets in northern Israel, including fuel depots, air defense batteries, Haifa Port, and warships docked at the port.