Netanyahu says Israel ‘prepared for very intense operation’ near Lebanon
Al Jazeera
Israeli PM says ‘we will restore security’ to border area with Lebanon amid cross-border attacks with Hezbollah.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is “prepared for a very intense operation” along its border with Lebanon, where Israeli troops have exchanged near daily fire with Hezbollah fighters for almost eight months.
The fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group, a Hamas ally, has intensified over the past week, with Israel striking deeper into Lebanese territory, raising concerns that an even wider conflict could break out between the heavily armed adversaries.
“We are prepared for a very intense operation in the north. One way or another, we will restore security to the north,” Netanyahu said during a visit to the border area.
Hezbollah said later that it launched several attacks on Israeli positions during the day, including a “guided missile” strike on an “Iron Dome platform in the Ramot Naftali barracks”. Iron Dome is Israel’s air defence system.
In past weeks, Israel has ramped up its targeting of Hezbollah members and allied Palestinian and Lebanese fighters in cars and on motorbikes in Lebanon.
