Israel preparing for a limited ground operation in Lebanon: media report

The Israeli occupation army is preparing to launch a “limited ground operation” in Lebanon, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority Reported yesterday.

The Broadcasting Authority said that “the Israeli army is making serious preparations for a limited ground operation in Lebanon.”

It added that “the political level [the government] is seriously considering implementing the limited ground operation, despite Washington exerting unprecedented pressure in the past few days to prevent such a move.”

According to media reports, Israeli officials claim that the potential ground operation will aim to establish a “security buffer zone in southern Lebanon.”

The government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, has not yet made a final decision on whether it will implement a ground operation or not, according to the Broadcasting Authority.

It added that Washington believes an agreement should have been reached between Israel and Hezbollah, rather than being drawn into a large-scale military confrontation.

Israel was forced to withdraw from southern Lebanon in 2000 after a 22-year occupation as a result of battles with Hezbollah.