Israeli Army Conducts More Raids In Lebanon As It Moves Closer To Decision On War (Videos)

Illustrative image. (Israeli Defense Forces)

Israel continues to escalate its attacks on Lebanon amid reports suggesting that a new war against Hezbollah is nearing.

In a statement released late on November 16, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed that it had conducted several overnight raids in southern Lebanon in the past week, as part of efforts to prevent Hezbollah from rearming.

During one raid in the town of Aitaroun, the military said that reservists of the Alon Brigade demolished several buildings that had been used by the group , including recently to restore its capabilities in the area. In another raid in the town of Ramyeh, troops of the 300th “Baram” Regional Brigade seized and destroyed several weapons, including assault rifles, according to the military.

Also in the past week, the Israeli Air Force carried out five strikes in Lebanon, killing three members of the group who, according to the IDF, were violating the terms of the ceasefire.

Right after the release of the statement, an Israeli drone strike hit a vehicle near the southern Lebanese town of Mansouri killing a man.

The IDF said the next day that the strike killed Muhammad Ali Shuweikh, describing the man as Hezbollah’s local representative in the town. As part of his role, the military said, he was responsible for liaising between the group and the residents “on economic and military matters.”

“Additionally, the terrorist acted to seize private property for terror purposes,” the IDF said, adding that his actions “constituted a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.”

Israel has been launching strikes against Hezbollah on a regular basis since a ceasefire brokered by the United States entered into effect in November of last year, citing “violations” by the group.

The Lebanese government approved in August a plan to disarm Hezbollah in line with a proposal presented by the U.S. Later in September, the government announced that it has begun to implement the plan. Hezbollah, however, rejected any talk of disarmament.

The IDF stepped up strikes on Lebanon as a ceasefire entered into effect in the Gaza Strip in October, and since then there have been increasing signs of a near war with Lebanon. In recent weeks, Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of rebuilding and attempting to smuggle arms, including through Syria.

On November 16, Channel 13 reported that the defense establishment in Israel is moving toward recommending a “days-long” war with Lebanon.

Addressing recent Israeli accusations, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, said that Hezbollah has the right to rebuild itself like any other group, and that the group has not fired a single shot for 11 months.

Berri is head of the Shiite Amal movement, Hezbollah’s top ally in Lebanon. His remarks were quoted on November 16 in Lebanese media after being made during a meeting with newspaper editors in Lebanon.

Berri added that Lebanon is fulfilling its commitments under the ceasefire south of the Litani River, in contrast to Israel, which is not upholding the agreement. He also denied reports that Hezbollah is smuggling weapons into Lebanon by sea, land, or air.

All in all, a new war between Israel and Lebanon seems to be a matter of time only. With Hezbollah deeply weakened by the last confrontation and the fall of its ally in Syria, the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, many in the Israeli defense establishment likely see an unmissable opportunity to deal a final blow to the group.

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