Israel prepares for ground offensive in Lebanon as Biden warns of 'all-out war'
PTC News Desk: The Israeli military is preparing for a potential ground invasion of Lebanon as tensions with Hezbollah escalate. Israeli military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has ordered troops to be ready for entry into Lebanon, suggesting that extensive strikes on the Iran-backed militant group could pave the way for "entering enemy territory." This comes as U.S. President Joe Biden issued a grave warning of an "all-out war" and UN discussions continue over a 21-day ceasefire deal to deescalate hostilities.
The situation in Lebanon has worsened, with Israeli airstrikes killing at least 72 people and injuring 233 others on Wednesday, according to Lebanese health officials. More than 600 people have been killed since Israel launched a major campaign on Monday to dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure. The ongoing conflict has displaced over 90,000 people, adding to the 110,000 previously displaced.
Addressing Israeli soldiers, Lt. Gen. Halevi remarked, "You hear the jets overhead; we have been striking all day. This is both to prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah." The strikes are part of Israel's broader goal to neutralize Hezbollah and restore security to northern Israel.
Meanwhile, global leaders have expressed concern over the growing violence. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the UN General Assembly, urged both Israel and Hezbollah to cease hostilities, warning that "there cannot be a war in Lebanon." He supported a 21-day ceasefire proposal, which has been under discussion between the U.S. and France.
During an interview with ABC News, President Biden acknowledged the possibility of an "all-out war" but emphasized that diplomatic opportunities remain to resolve the conflict and "fundamentally change the whole region." The White House reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire to create space for diplomacy, describing the current situation as "intolerable" for both Israelis and Lebanese.
Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, welcomed the ceasefire talks but highlighted Iran's role in fueling the violence, stating that peace would require dismantling Iran’s influence in the region. In response, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed support for Hezbollah, warning that the region was on the brink of catastrophe and that the world would face dire consequences if the conflict remained unchecked.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the violence, urging all sides to "step back from the brink" and warning that Lebanon must not become another Gaza.
Cross-border clashes continued on Wednesday, with Hezbollah claiming to have targeted Israel's Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv for the first time with a missile. However, Israeli military officials reported that the missile, which was headed toward civilian areas, was intercepted by air defenses, and no damage or casualties were reported.
Israel continued its air campaign, striking over 280 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including areas near Sidon, north of Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley. The situation escalated further following a series of attacks on Hezbollah’s communication devices, which exploded last week, killing 39 people and injuring thousands.
As both sides engage in ongoing hostilities, the potential for a full-scale ground offensive looms large, with the global community watching closely for signs of a diplomatic breakthrough.
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- With inputs from agencies
