Israeli special forces are operating inside Lebanon conducting probing missions to gather as much intelligence as they can before any possible ground assault.
According to NBC News there is a small number of special forces operating in southern Lebanon to retrieve as much intelligence as they can on Hezbollah’s operations, Sky News reports citing an Israeli official.
The Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has suggested there could be a ground assault in Lebanon as thousands of troops, tanks, armoured vehicles are lined along the southern border and the air force is active conducting bombing raids.
Gallant told his troops, “The elimination of Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the final one.
In order to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities, we will employ all of our capabilities, and this includes you.
Gallant also told his troops that Hezbollah is ready and prepared and there is a possibility that Israeli forces could be ready to “expand activities” in the north of Lebanon, which has seen a lot of bombing raids over the past week.
Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general, Naim Qassem has issued a statement saying they are “ready for an Israeli ground invasion” inside Lebanon.
Qassem said Hezbollah will continue to support “defending Gaza and Lebanon,” he added, “We are exerting minimum effort from our part. Israel will never achieve its goals.”
An Israeli official said, “They are targeting key sites which have been built across the border zone.
“The question now is what the US will do, and I just hope the US doesn’t get involved and pull us back.”
