Israel warned Iran on Monday that nowhere in the Middle East was beyond its reach and hinted at a land invasion of Lebanon after assassinating the leader of the Tehran-backed Hezbollah group, one of its biggest adversaries, in a Beirut suburb last week.
“There is nowhere we will not go to protect our people and protect our country,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a three-minute video clip in English that he addressed to the Iranian people.
Friday’s assassination of Nasrallah – the most powerful leader in Tehran’s “Axis of Resistance” against Israeli and US interests in the Middle East – was one of the heaviest blows in decades to both Hezbollah and Iran.
After two weeks of intensive airstrikes and a string of assassinations of Hezbollah commanders, Israel, which has been training its troops for a ground invasion, indicated that a land invasion was an option in Lebanon.
Speaking to troops deployed along Israel’s northern border, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel would do whatever it takes to ensure the return of citizens who have fled Hezbollah rockets during nearly a year of border warfare.
“We will use all the means that may be required – your forces, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and on land. Good luck,” said Gallant, who was briefed by commanders.
“The elimination of Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the final one. In order to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities, we will employ all of our capabilities, and this includes you.”
The Washington Post cited an unidentified US official as saying Israel had already told the US it was planning a ground operation that may start imminently.
The operation would be smaller than Israel’s 2006 war against Hezbollah and focus on security for border communities, the official said.
Asked about the reports, US President Joe Biden, who has so far had little success urging Israel to rein in its campaigns, called for a ceasefire, telling reporters: “I’m comfortable with them stopping.”
Meanwhile, at least 45 people were killed in Lebanon’s Ain al-Delb in the south of the capital Beirut, raising the death toll in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours to 136, according to Lebanese authorities.
The death toll includes three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine group who were killed in the Kola area of Beirut in Israel’s first attack on the Lebanese capital beyond the southern suburbs.
Israeli fighter jets also carried out attacks in northern Gaza, particularly in the Jabalia refugee camp – where a residential home was struck without any warning.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military dropped leaflets in central Gaza, warning people against making any attempts to return to northern Gaza, which has been heavily bombarded by Israeli forces over the past year.