Israeli troops on the ground in the Gaza Strip, July 25, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
The Israeli army claimed on Thursday that it has "completed preparations for a large-scale ground maneuver in Lebanon," as troops and Hezbollah have been engaged in deadly battles on the southern Lebanese border the next day after the start of the Gaza war.
According to Israeli army radio, troops stated that before the ground maneuver in Lebanon, they were preparing to "conduct extensive air operations."
In early July, the radio reported that the regional brigade "HaHarim" (mountains in Hebrew) had completed training exercises that included attacks on Lebanon, combat in complex conditions, and urban clashes.
In late June, Israeli army Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote the troops were intensifying coordination between their units and preparations for an "attack on Lebanon."
His statements came after the Israeli army announced it had approved operational plans for an "offensive in Lebanon" following days of escalation with Hezbollah in the border area.
