The increase in Israeli troops in the Lebanon ground war, which had been dubbed ‘limited war,’ continues to indicate difficulties. Despite Israel’s extensive air strikes, Hezbollah is responding with rocket fire. On the 8th, Israel deployed the 4th division to the southern Lebanon ground war, according to Reuters. The IDF announced that the reserve forces of the 146th division began operations in southern Lebanon. This deployment of reserve forces signifies a de facto all-out war. Israel initially sent 2 reserve divisions on the 30th to carry out a ‘limited, localized, and targeted’ ground war in southern Lebanon. However, the addition of the 4th division, including reserve forces, indicates a reinforcement of troops. Currently, the 36th, 98th, 91st, and 146th divisions are conducting operations across the border in southern Lebanon. The Financial Times analyzed that the mobilization of the 4th division by Israel, following the announcement of the deployment of 3 reserve divisions, indicates a preparation to go deeper into the northern region.
The increase in Israeli troops came after 8 officers, including 8 officers, were killed and 3 tanks were destroyed in the first full-scale battle with Hezbollah on the second day of the Lebanon ground war. Israel halted the ground invasion after the first battle and intensified air strikes and bombings. Despite over 2 weeks of extensive Israeli air strikes and bombings, Hezbollah launched over 180 rockets at Haifa, a major port city in Israel’s north, showing its continued retaliatory capabilities. The Wall Street Journal pointed out that Hezbollah’s sustained rocket attacks on Haifa and elsewhere demonstrate the preservation of its missile capabilities even after over 3 weeks of extensive Israeli air strikes and bombings across Lebanon. Sam Heller, a security analyst at the Century International Institute in New York, analyzed that Hezbollah’s attacks on Haifa, Israel’s 3rd largest city, aim to inflict more suffering on Israeli residents and demonstrate their preparedness and retaliatory capabilities.
Naim Qasem, acting Secretary-General of Hezbollah, emphasized in a pre-recorded speech on the same day that the enemy’s talk about Hezbollah’s combat capabilities is an illusion and they are lying. He stated that their combat capabilities remain strong, with hundreds of rockets and dozens of drones targeting many Israeli residential areas and cities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a video speech to the Lebanese people on the same day that they had killed thousands of terrorists, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and his successors. However, Hezbollah has not confirmed his death, and the Israeli military did not confirm it on the same day. Netanyahu urged Lebanese residents to withdraw their support for Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the visit of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to Washington to discuss retaliatory attacks on Iran has been canceled. Netanyahu stated that Gallant’s visit will not be approved until he discusses response options with U.S. President Joe Biden or the cabinet approves the plan to retaliate against Iran. In related news, Axios reported that Netanyahu is scheduled to have a phone call with President Biden on the 9th for the first time in 2 months.
Senior Reporter Jeong Eun-gil [email protected]