Situation regarding Israel’s invasion of Lebanon

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari admitted for the first time on Tuesday that Israel had carried out “dozens of targeted operations near the border” in southern Lebanon during the nearly year-long conflict.

Israel escalated its war against Hezbollah this month in an attempt to end Hezbollah attacks for good. They carried out a significant number of strikes in southern Lebanon and the capital Beirut. Over the past few weeks, the Israeli military has successfully eliminated Hezbollah’s top leadership, but Hezbollah has been able to launch counterattacks against Israel.

VICE PRESIDENTS DEBATE 2024: VANCE AND WALZ Will Face Off in CBS Contest

On Tuesday, the military announced that the IDF had established four additional reserve brigades for operational missions in the north. It was also reported that about 15 missiles had been identified flying from Lebanon to Israel. Some of the shells landed in open areas to the north, and firefighters had to work to extinguish the fire that broke out.

According to CBS News, the escalation of the conflict in Israel this month has killed at least 1,000 people and displaced as many as one million Lebanese civilians from the south, the country’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati said.

“Our soldiers entered Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure; “uncovered Hezbollah’s hidden weapons caches and seized and destroyed these weapons, including advanced Iranian-made weapons,” he added. “In total, during these operations, IDF soldiers exposed and dismantled over 700 Hezbollah terrorist facilities, and there is much more to be done.”

What prompted Israel to pursue ground operations?

Hezbollah and Israel have been enemies for several decades. But the current conflict began last October.

On October 7, 2023, thousands of militants affiliated with Hamas (a Gaza-based, Iran-backed, U.S.-designated terrorist group) overcame the border fence and killed approximately 1,200 people and kidnapped approximately 250 others, ultimately launching the deadliest terrorist attack in history country. A day later, Hezbollah began firing rockets and missiles into northern Israel to distract the Israeli military in solidarity with Hamas.

Israel has evacuated about 60,000 people from northern Israel amid concerns that Hezbollah could launch a similar cross-border raid targeting civilians in communities along their shared border. Nearly a year later, Israeli civilians remain displaced from their homes, and Israeli officials say operations against Hezbollah are intended to stop Hezbollah attacks so that these families can return to their homes.

Several world leaders have called on Israel and Hezbollah to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which halted the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The document specifically called for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, which they did, and for Hezbollah to move north of the Litani River, which would in effect create a nearly 20-mile buffer zone between the Lebanese-Israeli border and Hezbollah territory. Hezbollah did not comply with the conditions.

The resolution also states that only the Lebanese government can occupy positions south of the Litani River.

“For years, Israel has warned the world that Hezbollah violates international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which prohibits the presence of armed fighters and weapons in southern Lebanon. It was a resolution that the international community agreed to, but Lebanon and UNIFIL did not implement,” Hagari added. “No country would accept the presence of a murderous terrorist organization along its borders, and the State of Israel has the right and obligation to do what 1701 failed to do.”

Will there be a reaction from Iran?

For decades, Iran has supported, financed and trained fighters of various U.S.-designated terrorist groups so that they could carry out attacks against Israel desired by Tehran. These groups include Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, all of which have attacked U.S. forces in the region or Israel over the past year.

In particular, Israel and Iran engage primarily in a shadow war, often waged through targeted assassinations and espionage rather than on the battlefield. However, Iran launched an unprecedented air attack on Israel last April, which Israel (with the help of allies) was able to almost completely thwart.

The killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last week raised fears that Iran could launch another direct attack on Israel.

“The United States has signs that Iran is preparing to launch an imminent missile attack on Israel. We actively support defense preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack by Iran on Israel will have serious consequences for Iran,” a White House official said Washington Examiner.

Where does the US stand?

The Biden administration has repeatedly emphasized that it upholds Israel’s right to defend itself against the regional threats it faces on its borders, although it has also pushed for a diplomatic solution to the crises that have gone largely unnoticed by all sides.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant several times this month, often several times a week.

In their latest call on Monday, the two leaders “agreed on the need to dismantle attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hezbollah cannot carry out October 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities,” according to the readout Pentagon spokesman. Major General Patrick Ryder.

Ryder noted that Austin “confirmed that a diplomatic resolution is required to ensure the safe return of civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. He and Minister Gallant discussed the importance of finally transitioning from military to diplomatic operations to ensure security and stability as quickly as possible.”

The Pentagon has significantly increased its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks due to escalating tensions.

Austin directed USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group will remain in the Middle East and USS Wasp The Amphibious Ready Group/Maritime Expeditionary Unit will continue its operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, while fighter and military squadron numbers will also increase to include F-22, F-15E, F-16 and A-10 aircraft.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

In total, the US will have “an additional several thousand” troops in the Middle East. These troops are in the region to deter aggression from Israel’s adversaries and could help protect Israel in the event of a major attack like the one from Iran last April.

Soldiers could also be called upon to help evacuate Americans from Lebanon if the war continues to escalate. The U.S. Department of State has urged Americans in Lebanon to leave through commercial options before the situation deteriorates further.