"Third Lebanon War": Seventh Day

22 Elul 5784

ISRAEL REALTIME @ 18:01 (IST)

🚨 NETANYAHU CHAIRS SECURITY CABINET MEETING AMID POSSIBLE ESCALATION AS IDF CALLS UP RESERVES 🚨

🚨 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently chairing a special security assessment meeting with top military officials and government ministers. In a significant shift, this meeting is being upgraded to a Security Cabinet meeting, with missing ministers summoned to attend immediately. The key distinction between these meetings is that the Cabinet can vote on specific military actions. This, along with the IDF announcement of calling up additional reserve forces to be deployed in northern Israel, indicates a possible escalation in military operations.

⚠ Earlier today, the Hezbollah terrorist group launched a barrage of projectiles from Lebanon into northern Israel, targeting cities like Safed and Nahariya. In response, the Israeli Air Force retaliated, striking the launchers and various Hezbollah terror sites, including operatives, weapon storage facilities, and other key infrastructure. So far, more than 280 Hezbollah-related targets have been hit in Lebanon, with further operations expected to continue.

🎗Gaza ceasefire: Senior U.S. officials, as reported by CNN, have halted active efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, citing a lack of political will from both sides to end hostilities.

🚨 IDF CHIEF OF STAFF CONFIRMS PREPARATION FOR GROUND MANEUVERS AGAINST HEZBOLLAH 🚨

During an exercise at Israel’s northern border, Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, emphasized the ongoing efforts to prepare for potential ground maneuvers against Hezbollah. Accompanied by high-ranking officers from the Northern Command, the 98th Division, the Ground Forces Training Center, and the 7th Brigade, Halevi addressed the troops, stressing the significance of their mission.

He highlighted that fighter jets have been conducting airstrikes throughout the day to degrade Hezbollah's capabilities and prepare the ground for a possible entry by IDF forces. According to Halevi, Hezbollah has increased its range of attacks, but the IDF is ready to deliver a strong response.

Halevi underscored the importance of the maneuver, where ground forces will enter enemy territory, including villages Hezbollah has turned into military outposts with underground infrastructure and launchpads aimed at Israel. He assured the troops that their entry into these areas would decisively destroy Hezbollah's operatives and infrastructure, ultimately ensuring the safety of Israel’s northern residents.

The message was clear: the IDF is not stopping its operations and is fully prepared to enter enemy-held territories to neutralize threats and secure the region. 

 @ 16:25 (IST)

IDF general says forces must be prepared for Lebanon ground incursion (Ynet)

The IDF has entered a new phase in its campaign against Hezbollah and must be prepared for a ground incursion if necessary, Northern Command head Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin said according to an army statement issued on Wednesday. “We have entered a different stage of the campaign, and we are in the midst of Operation Northern Arrows,” Gordin told troops during a visit to the 7th Brigade's divisional exercise near the northern border on Tuesday. Gordin assessed the readiness of the commanders and soldiers, emphasizing the importance of being fully prepared to change the security situation and enable northern residents to return home safely. “The operation began with significant strikes on Hezbollah’s capabilities, focusing on their firepower and a severe blow to their commanders and personnel. In light of this, we need to change the security situation. We must be fully prepared for a ground incursion and action," he added. (Yoav Zitun)

IDF mobilizes 2 reserve brigades for northern front operations (Ynet)

The IDF announced on Wednesday the mobilization of two reserve brigades for operational tasks in the northern region following an assessment of the situation. The army said that the move aims to continue the fight against Hezbollah, protect Israeli civilians and create the conditions for the safe return of northern residents to their homes. (Yoav Zitun)

Security Cabinet to convene ahead of Netanyahu's departure to US (Ynet)

The Security Cabinet is set to meet at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, just hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled departure for the United States. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions with Hezbollah and ongoing military operations in Lebanon. (Itamar Eichner)

IDF commander urges readiness for possible Lebanon invasion amid Hezbollah conflict (JPost)

IDF Northern Commander Maj. Gen. Uri Gordon on Wednesday told his forces that "we need to be very ready to go into action and to invade" Lebanon in the rising escalation against Hezbollah.

...Gordon said, "We have entered a new phase in the conflict, and now we are fighting as part of Operation Northern Arrows."

 @ 11:55 (IST)

Abu Ali Express English @AbuAliEnglishB1 · 6m 

The reason that #Hezbollah chose this morning to launch a symbolic missile at #Tel_Aviv precisely at 06:30 is because today exactly one year has passed, according to the Hijri (Islamic) calendar, since the events of 7.10 that were held on the 22nd of the third month of the Hijri year and began at 06: 30.

[ELINT News @ELINTNews

Following sirens in Tel Aviv, the IDF confirmed one surface-surface missile (ballistic missile) was launched from Lebanon and intercepted. This was likely one of the few hundred reported precision-guided Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missiles believed to be in Hezbollah’s possession and is the first time Hezbollah has launched one. It was likely intercepted by the David’s Sling air defence system.]