Israeli forces entered southern Lebanon on Sunday afternoon, utilizing a gap in the border wall created by their military operations. Accompanied by international journalists, the military showcased a secret Hezbollah outpost located approximately 300 yards north of the Israeli border. This visit occurred two weeks after Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon, aimed at diminishing Hezbollah's military capabilities.
The outpost featured a substantial cache of explosives and mines, as well as various military gear including boots, helmets, and a solar panel charger. Israeli officials indicated that the site was designed for a small team of fighters tasked with breaching the concrete border wall. The operation's objective is to push Hezbollah forces further north, although the extent and duration of Israel's military presence remain unspecified.
Military officials expressed surprise at the depth of Hezbollah's entrenchment close to the border, indicating that the militia had thoroughly prepared for potential incursions into northern Israel. Brig. Gen. Yiftach Norkin referenced statements from the late Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, regarding ambitions to conquer parts of northern Israel, emphasizing that the current military build-up by Hezbollah suggests a serious threat.
General Norkin noted that the capabilities of Hezbollah could have led to a more devastating impact than the recent Hamas-led assault on southern Israel. The ongoing conflict escalated following the assassination of Nasrallah and other top commanders by Israeli forces, transitioning the situation from a low-intensity conflict to a broader war.
During the visit, military officers reported minimal direct resistance from Hezbollah fighters, who appeared to have retreated northward, leaving behind explosive traps and continuing to launch attacks from new positions. Notably, a recent drone strike claimed by Hezbollah resulted in casualties among Israeli soldiers.
At the first site visited, two tunnel shafts leading to extensive underground networks were discovered, along with an antitank missile launcher. The military found approximately 100 Hezbollah sites within a small area, including weapons caches and various supplies. This discovery highlighted the level of preparation and entrenchment by Hezbollah forces.
At the second location, soldiers initially struggled to locate Hezbollah signs but eventually found marked trees that led them to additional caches of well-preserved munitions and military equipment, some of which bore recent manufacturing dates. The tactics of Hezbollah fighters, who reportedly disguise themselves as civilians, further complicate the operational landscape.
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