Israel is planning an invasion of Lebanon that will include the creation of a buffer zone several kilometres from the border, The Economist reports, citing military sources.
The IDF announced that it was deploying a second division, which had been in Gaza for about a month, to the north in preparation for this. prepared for this. Combat troops trained throughout Saturday at bases in the north, but had not yet begun to assemble at staging areas near the border.
“Plans for a ground invasion are in place. But we are still far from having sufficient forces here to carry them out.” said a reserve officer involved in the training.
Israel’s latest moves mask disagreements at the highest military and political levels, the paper said.
“Some are calling for a much faster escalation, arguing that Israel should take advantage of the chaos within Hezbollah to destroy many more of its capabilities and seize territory. More cautious generals, including the Defense Minister Yoav GalantThey advocate the current, more gradual strategy, which they hope will give Hezbollah a chance to reconsider its position and withdraw. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu He promised to return northern residents safely to their homes,” the article says.
