IDF mulling potential Lebanon ground invasion

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said Lebanon has become a co-equal primary front alongside Iran in the current war.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel’s military is considering the possibility of a broader ground invasion of Lebanon as fighting with Hezbollah intensifies, though officials signaled Thursday that such a move may not be immediate.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said Lebanon has become a co-equal primary front alongside Iran in the current war.

Despite the escalation, multiple IDF sources told The Jerusalem Post earlier Thursday that the military does not currently support launching a full invasion while the war with Iran continues, though the option is being examined for a later stage.

Less than an hour later, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning that Israel could expand operations if Hezbollah rocket fire continues. Katz said he warned Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel would launch a broader invasion if the Lebanese military fails to stop Hezbollah attacks.

Hezbollah fired more than 200 rockets overnight Wednesday, roughly double the pace seen earlier in the conflict.

According to the IDF, intelligence and preemptive strikes prevented about two-thirds of the planned launches, while Israeli air defenses intercepted nearly all drone threats, including Iranian drones fired toward northern Israel.

Some rockets penetrated Israel’s defenses and caused damage and injuries.

After the barrage began, Israeli forces destroyed about half of the rocket launchers involved, although most had already fired.

The IDF said many launchers are now located north of the Litani River, making them more difficult to target.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Hezbollah still possesses more than 1,000 long-range missiles, in addition to potentially tens of thousands of shorter-range rockets.

Four Israeli divisions are currently operating in southern Lebanon, including Divisions 36 and 91, which are advancing deeper into the area.

Zamir also issued a rare public apology after northern residents said they were not warned early enough about the barrage, saying he takes responsibility and asking for forgiveness.