Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of Chihine near the border with Israel on Aug. 13, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (Photo by Kawnat Haju/AFP)
BEIRUT – While Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened a ground invasion of southern Lebanon aimed at forcing Hezbollah north of the Litani River, the Israeli military may not have yet deployed sufficient forces for such a major operation imminently in the next few weeks, according to military experts and L’Orient Today’s analysis of Israeli troop movements.It comes as tensions have reached a fever pitch in the region, amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and its Iranian backer. Since July 31, there have been repeated warnings that Iran and Hezbollah could launch a large-scale response to the assassinations of Hezbollah senior military commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut, and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which were both attributed to Israel. There are concerns this could then prompt a strong response from...
BEIRUT – While Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened a ground invasion of southern Lebanon aimed at forcing Hezbollah north of the Litani River, the Israeli military may not have yet deployed sufficient forces for such a major operation imminently in the next few weeks, according to military experts and L’Orient Today’s analysis of Israeli troop movements.It comes as tensions have reached a fever pitch in the region, amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and its Iranian backer. Since July 31, there have been repeated warnings that Iran and Hezbollah could launch a large-scale response to the assassinations of Hezbollah senior military commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut, and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which were both attributed to Israel. There are concerns this could then prompt a strong response...