IDF approves operational plans for Lebanon fighting as Hezbollah resumes attacks on Israel

Israel fears US will impose arms blockage in case of offensive against Hezbollah

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Senior commanders of the Israel Defense Forces approved operational plans for the continuation of the fighting against Hezbollah, while the terror group resumed its attacks against Israel by launching at least seven strikes on Tuesday.

Northern Command OC Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin and Operations Division Commander Maj.-Gen. Oded Basiuk approved plans for a potential attack against Lebanon and decided to speed up the readiness of the IDF troops in the north, according to the IDF.

While Israel’s leadership is mulling a potential offensive in Lebanon to put a stop to Hezbollah’s escalating attacks, Channel 14 reported that it fears the U.S. will oppose an offensive by imposing an arms blockade.

According to KAN News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to open another public confrontation with the Biden administration over the issue, publishing a video claiming the U.S. was withholding aid shortly before a scheduled meeting with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein.

Hochstein had just returned from Beirut after holding talks aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the situation on Israel’s northern border. In the meeting, Hochstein told Netanyahu that top Biden administration officials were enraged by the video, Axios reported.

Israeli soldiers at the site where a large fire started from missiles launched from Lebanon near Kibbutz Kfar Szold, northern Israel, June 14, 2024. (Photo: Ayal Margolin/Flash90)

View of a large fire that started from missiles launched from Lebanon near Kibbutz Kfar Szold, northern Israel, June 14, 2024 (Photo: Ayal Margolin/Flash90).

The coming weeks are seen as critical for setting the course regarding the Lebanon situation.

After the expected end of the Israeli operation in Rafah in about two weeks, Israeli officials said there would be a short window of time to reach a diplomatic solution before Israel would seek to change it by any means necessary.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah fully resumed its attacks against Israel as the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday came to an end. In response to Hochstein’s visit, the terror group published a video captured by a spy drone that flew over the city of Haifa, filming the port and other sensitive sites.

Hezbollah said it carried out seven attacks against Israel on Tuesday, including three projectiles that hit the town of Manara, and a drone infiltration that was intercepted by Israeli air defenses off the coast of Gesher HaZiv on Tuesday night.

Wednesday morning began with drone alerts in the area of Metula and Sde Eliezer, where the IDF said it shot down a drone. Later, rocket alarm sirens sounded in the area of Kiryat Shmona, and in Betzet and Shlomi, near the coast.

במהלך הלילה זוהו מספר מחבלי חיזבאללה נכנסים למבנה צבאי במרחב יארון המשמש כמחסן אמל"ח.
זמן קצר לאחר מכן כלי טיס של חיל האוויר תקף את המבנה ובו החולייה. במקביל, הותקפה תשתית טרור של הארגון במרחב ברעשית>> pic.twitter.com/ih6fXCQvOp
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 19, 2024

The IDF said overnight it spotted several Hezbollah terrorists entering a military building that is being used as a military depot in the Yaroun area. A short time later an aircraft attacked the building, with Lebanese sources reporting three deaths.

The IDF also announced it carried out a series of attacks against Hezbollah targets in a-Taibeh, al-Jabin, Ayta al-Sha’ab and al-Adaiseh.

במהלך השעה האחרונה מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו מספר מטרות טרור של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בדרום לבנון.
בין המטרות שהותקפו, מספר תשתיות של הארגון במרחבים א-טייבה, אל עדייסא ואל ג'בין ומבנה צבאי במרחב עייתא א שעב>> pic.twitter.com/HWpSXGu3Pc
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 18, 2024

Throughout Tuesday, the IDF also struck several drone launch squads from Hezbollah’s aerial array, responsible for the incessant drone attacks on Israel in recent months.

תיעוד: כלי טיס של חיל האוויר תקפו לאורך היום חוליות שיגור כטב"מים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה pic.twitter.com/b0AufIZTbN
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 18, 2024

On Wednesday morning, the Syrian army claimed Israeli aircraft attacked two of its posts in the southern towns of Quneitra and Dara’a, killing an army officer and causing damage. Israel had not commented on the allegation at the time of publication.