Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant today hinted that Israel is preparing to launch a ground offensive against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Removing (Hezbollah leader) Nasrallah is a very important step, but it is not everything. We will utilize all the options we have,” Galant said to soldiers of the 188th Armored Brigade and the Golani Infantry Brigade in northern Israel, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Galant told the soldiers that he believes they will be able to achieve everything that is required of them.
The “Wall Street Journal” reported, citing well-informed sources, that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) could launch a ground operation in Lebanon this week.
Israeli air forces have been carrying out extensive attacks on Hezbollah targets in various areas of Lebanon since last week.
There have also been several targeted airstrikes on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, during which high-ranking Hezbollah commanders were killed, including the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was reported killed on Friday.
The Israeli military announced that it has attacked several thousand Hezbollah targets so far.