Israeli Special Forces Conduct Raids On Hezbollah Tunnels Near Border Ahead of Potential Ground Operation
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israeli special forces have been carrying out targeted raids into southern Lebanon, probing Hezbollah’s border tunnels and gathering intelligence in an effort to weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities, ahead of a potential broader ground incursion expected soon, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The Biden Administration has urged Israel to pursue a diplomatic solution and keep any operation targeted.
While regional partners urge Israel to pursue a diplomatic solution, the Israeli government is under pressure to establish a buffer zone to halt Hezbollah attacks, which have displaced 60,000 people in the north, and to prevent another cross-border assault like the October 7 Hamas attack. Hezbollah has long threatened to invade northern Israel.
A ground operation would come after two weeks of intensive intelligence efforts, targeted killings, and heavy bombardments aimed at weakening the terrorist group’s leadership and weapons stockpiles. Last week, Israel carried out airstrikes on over 2,000 targets, marking its most intense bombardment of Lebanon in years, according to the military.
Amir Avivi, a former senior Israeli military official who remains informed by the defense establishment, told the Wall Street Journal that a ground incursion by Israel is imminent, with the ongoing raids serving as preparation.
“The IDF has conducted extensive preparations for a ground incursion,” Avivi explained. “These special operations are a routine part of the overall process.”
Hezbollah seems significantly weakened by Israeli operations, including a strike that killed the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, according to Avivi. He noted that Israel’s real dilemma now might be how far they should advance into Lebanon. The timing and conditions for Israel’s withdrawal, however, remain uncertain, he added.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, addressing infantry and tank brigades in the north on Monday, stated that Israel is preparing to enter Lebanon with a coordinated effort involving infantry, tanks, naval forces, and air power.
Gallant emphasized the significance of Nasrallah’s elimination, stating, “The elimination of Nasrallah is a very important step, but it is not the final one. We will employ all the capabilities at our disposal.” He further added, “We will use all the means that may be required—your forces, other forces, from the air, from the sea and on land.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced Sunday that it will keep the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and its accompanying ships near the Red Sea, despite earlier plans for the group to depart once the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group arrived. The Truman will now operate near the Mediterranean Sea. It is uncommon for the U.S. to maintain two carriers in the region simultaneously.
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