TEL AVIV — The Israeli military is prepared for an all-out war against Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon, head of the northern command Ori Gordin said on Thursday.
"We are all set and ready. When needed, the enemy will meet an army that is strong and prepared," said Gordin, speaking to residents of the north of Israel at a ceremony commemorating 18 years since the 2006 war with Lebanon. "Our mission is clear: to change the security reality, so we can bring you back to your homes as quickly as possible, in security," he added.
Gordin’s statement came against the backdrop of increased escalation on Israel’s border with Lebanon.
The Biden administration warned Israel in recent weeks against what it called "a limited war" in Lebanon against Hezbollah, warning that such a military operation could push Iran to intervene, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two unnamed American officials and one Israeli official.
Washington warned on Wednesday against further escalation in Lebanon. "We continue to pursue a diplomatic resolution because we don't want to see that escalation of the conflict, which would just lead to further loss of life from both Israelis and the Lebanese people and would greatly harm Israel's overall security and stability in the region," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
Two Hezbollah operatives were struck in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon’s Aitaroun earlier Thursday, the Israeli military said, adding it targeted several buildings used by the group in the town. Hezbollah affiliated Al-Manar TV reported on artillery attacks on the villages Ayta al-Shaab and Shuba.
Israel's Fire and Rescue Service has been trying to gain control of a fire that broke out in the Galilee's Bar’am forest Wednesday. By Tuesday firefighters had gained control of most of the fires that have broken out since last weekend in the north of Israel following Hezbollah's rocket and drone fire from Lebanon.
Also on Thursday, the IDF said it was postponing plans to reduce the "civilian preparedness units" composed of residents of villages or kibbutzim that are designed to respond to security incidents until the army arrives.
On Wednesday, the Israeli government decided to raise the number of reservists the military is authorized to call up from 300,000 to 350,000. Army Radio reported that this decision will remain in effect until Aug. 1, when it will be reevaluated.
Israeli jets struck Hezbollah targets overnight, including a weapons storage facility in southern Lebanon’s Wadi Jilou and two other sites near Aadchit, the military said.
