WhatsappLast night the AF finally let loose on southern Lebanon with a massive set of airstrikes that wiped hundreds of launchers and thousands of missiles. The strikes continued today and seemed to be softening the ground for an Israeli invasion.
Hezbollah finally responded today with hundreds of rockets on the north. The Home Front command urged residents to stay close to shelters throughout the day.
Then in the afternoon, Israel flew an F-35 over Beirut and landed a bullseye on a high value target - none other than Ibrahim Aqil, the supreme commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. Aqil was also wanted for the 1983 bombing of the US Marines barracks in Beirut that killed hundreds of US soldiers. The US had placed a $7 million bounty on his head.
If there was any doubt that the ground war is coming – this week should put those doubts to rest. Israel is moving forces up North, including the elite 98th Brigade. This moves means the IDF is serious in invading and holding Southern Lebanon.
With Hezbollah’s high command in disarray, the IDF has no choice but to launch a ground invasion now. If they wait too long, Iran will move over its Shiite Militias to bolster Hezbollah’s weakened hand. Expect a few more days of targeted killings and intense bombings in both Lebanon and perhaps Syria before the first stage of the invasion begins.
