Jerusalem., During a meeting held Monday night local time (around noon Central Time in Mexico), Israel’s security cabinet officially approved the “next phase” of the operation in Lebanon, Israeli media reported.
“Security cabinet ministers approved the next phase of Israel Defense Forces operations in Lebanon,” said a statement issued on behalf of the cabinet, without specifying further details.
Earlier, the US State Department reported that Israel has already launched ground raids against infrastructure of the Shiite party-militia Hezbollah near the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“That’s what we understand,” said Matthew Miller, a Washington spokesman, when asked at a press conference about whether Israel had begun ground operations.
“We have been informed that they are currently conducting limited operations against Hezbollah infrastructure near the border,” Miller said.
On the Israeli side of the border, this Monday the Armed Forces declared an area “closed military zone” in which they prohibit access to civilian personnel. The area includes the municipalities of Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi, very close to an area on the Lebanese side of the border that was subjected to intense artillery bombardment during the day.
Footage posted on social media and Lebanese media reports showed tanks firing, artillery and incendiary bombs being launched into southern Lebanon.
Separately, three rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Shtula, a rural settlement in northern Israel. The rockets fell in an open field, said a statement released by the Israeli army.
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– 2024-10-01 09:22:48
