Israel has hit more than 1000 targets in Lebanon today after it hacked Lebanese radio to warn “civilians” in Hezbollah controlled areas to flee their homes.
Since October 8th last year when Hezbollah began shooting missiles and UAVs at Israel, the IAF retaliated only at clear Hezbollah installations. It has been known for some time that Hezbollah utilizes “civilian” homes to hide active missile batteries in as well as UAV and ATGM launching pads. The IAF began destroying these homes today - changing the rules of combat against Hezbollah.
Israel has also warned that citizens in the Beqqa valley have two hours to leave their homes before Israel begins bombing in that area. The Beqqa valley is where Hezbollah stores many of its fuel and long range missiles as well as being an important transfer point between Syria and Lebanon.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari stated: “This warning is focused on the villages in the Beqaa valley. I urge the Lebanese residents of the villages in the Beqaa Valley who are inside or near houses where rockets and weapons are stored, to move away immediately! For your safety and protection. You can see the operations we are currently conducting in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah intends to launch these weapons toward Israel, and we will not allow it! Stay away for your own protection. Hassan Nasrallah is lying to you and putting you in danger. Listen to the warnings and messages that will be issued by the IDF for your safety and the safety of your families.”
In response, Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets across northern Israel as far South as Yokneam in the West and the Bet Shean area in the East. There have been a number of direct hits across the Galilee.
Most observers acknowledge that Hezbollah is in shock, but the bulk of their fighting force known as the Radwan force is still very much in tact despite the elimination of their top leaders. Israel is clearly preparing to invade southern Lebanon and is only in the beginning stages of softening the ground in a similar way as they did in Gaza.
Israel has been moving more and more forces up North in preparation for a full scale invasion aimed at clearing southern Lebanon of Hezbollah at least up to the Litani River. Of course, once that commences Hezbollah will likely aim the bulk of their missiles at Israel’s population centers along the coast. It should be noted that Iran will no doubt try to step in and save its proxy. Without Hezbollah, there is nothing keeping Israel from taking out the Ayatollah’s directly.
When Will The Ground Campaign Begin?
The ground war will begin soon. The pounding the IAF is giving Hezbollah now, is clearly designed to lay the groundwork for it and to limit retaliatory strikes as much as possible once Israel sends troops in. These sorts of heavy bombardments will have to slow down once ground forces enter. Yet, just like the invasion of Gaza, there will be no announcement in the north when Israel finally invades.