IDF LEBANON OP DESTROYING HEZB' TERROR TUNNELS, MUNITIONS, MISSILES - ROLLING UPDATES
An entire country hunkers down for a potential Iranian missile strike, as troops and armor surge to flush out and destroy Hezbollah terror cells
[This report will be updated as events dictate - DB]
IDF reveals: “throughout the war, our forces destroyed a large number of offensive tunnels in Lebanese territory, through which Hezbollah planned to approach Israeli territory.
“Part of the ‘search-and-destroy’ activity was carried out on the ground and partly from the air,” according to Hillel Biton Rosen, News 14.
Israeli and American officials, apparently concerned about a possible attack from Iran, are taking measures to ready the public: “The IDF Home Front Command has imposed restrictions on Central Israel and Jerusalem following long-range rocket attacks by Hezbollah today,” the army said.
A heavy barrage of long-range fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon struck wide areas across central Israel, wounded several, causing damage to vehicles and structures, and forcing hundreds of thousands to seek shelter.
Earlier salvos struck Tzfat in the north and many other communities across the Galilee.
Wife Miri and I came under Hezbollah rocket fire as we drove into Tzfat from nearby Rosh Pina on Tuesday morning. Navigating along a narrow, twisty two-lane road with no shoulder, there was no place to safely stop and take cover away from the vehicle, so we sped up the hillside.
We’re fine, considering the alternative, and in town now, and in a protected area - the Tzfat English Library.
Update: thankfully, Iron Dome interceptors reportedly swatted the incoming rockets or drones out of the sky, or they fell in “open areas” - which, however, included where we were driving. There were no immediate reports of physical injuries or damage. Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/7fDmITqwulY?si=K-_8OaudK-6iUwuF
“Gatherings are now limited to only 30 people outdoors and 300 indoors, while schools are permitted to remain open if there is access to a shelter within the required time for safety measures,” the statement read.
However - for the moment - there are no changes to flight activity at Ben Gurion Airport.
Traditional midnight “selichot” prayers for Rosh Hashanah, held at the Western Wall have been canceled, along with many concerts and events, according to the JBN News Agency.
The IDF says it carried out 70 small special forces raids on Hezbollah since war began last year.
“As the Israel Defense Forces officially launched ground operations in southern Lebanon early this morning, the military is now disclosing that it has already carried out more than 70 small raids with special forces since the beginning of the war, destroying numerous Hezbollah positions, tunnels, and thousands of weapons that would have potentially been used by the terror group to invade Israel.
“According to the IDF, troops silently reached around 1,000 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, some of them several kilometers from the border fence, including tunnels and bunkers where the terror group stored weapons. The IDF said the sites were located both inside Lebanese villages and in forested areas.
“The raids have been carried out since early in the Israel-Hamas war, after the IDF said it managed to push back Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force from the border area, enabling Israeli commandos to enter Lebanon with almost no detection. There were no direct clashes with Hezbollah operatives amid any of the raids.” - JBN News Agency
IDF: ‘IDF Forces Begin a Focused and Limited Ground Operation Against Hezbollah Terror Targets Near the Border in Southern Lebanon'
"In accordance with a decision by the political leadership, the IDF began a few hours ago a focused and limited ground operation in the Southern Lebanon area against terror targets and infrastructure of the Hezbollah terror organization in several villages near the border, from which there was an immediate and significant threat to Israeli communities in the northern border area.
"The IDF is acting according to a detailed plan devised by the General Staff and Northern Command, with forces having trained and prepared over the past few months.
"The ground forces are supported by airstrikes from the Air Force and artillery forces, which are attacking military targets in the area in coordination with ground troops.
"The stages of the campaign were approved and are being carried out in accordance with the decision of the political leadership. Operation "Northern Arrows" continues based on the current situation assessment, alongside the fighting in Gaza and other areas.
"The IDF continues to fight to achieve the objectives of the war and is doing everything necessary to protect the citizens of Israel and return northern residents to their homes safely.
"We ask the public not to spread rumors or unofficial reports about IDF activities and to rely only on official statements."
“I don't know when and if there will be a ground invasion, but when you see the orderly system of leaks that is used in the United States to tell exactly when Israel will operate on the ground, where and why, you can understand why Netanyahu did not inform them about the elimination of Nasrallah until the planes were already in the air.” - Amit Segal, Ch. 12 News
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Thank you Dave. Following you closely.