Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon are expected to continue even after the joint air campaign with the US against Iran concludes, sources indicate.
JERUSALEM: A source briefed on Israel’s military strategy said the campaigns against Iran and Hezbollah are viewed as separate fronts. The source, speaking anonymously, stated Israel will not tolerate continued rocket fire on its northern towns.
Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel on Monday. This prompted Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and areas in eastern and southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military subsequently warned Lebanese civilians to leave southern Beirut and a broad area in the south. A military source said the strikes aim to “remove the threat” posed by the Iranian-backed group.
READ MORE: Israel keeps up Lebanon strikes as ground forces advance
Early on Friday, Hezbollah issued its own warning, telling Israelis to leave towns near the border. The Israeli source did not refer to this warning directly.
The source indicated operations in Lebanon would likely persist after strikes on Iran end. Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the assessment.
Two senior Lebanese security officials and a foreign security official in Lebanon shared the expectation of continued Israeli military action. “This is about ending Hezbollah once and for all,” one Lebanese security official said.
All three officials predicted a long-term Israeli military occupation of southern Lebanon’s border strip is likely. Israel has said it will not evacuate its own border towns and has sent more soldiers into Lebanon in what it calls a defensive measure.
The Lebanese health ministry reports 123 people killed and 683 wounded from Israeli attacks this week. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
