On the 17th day of the US-Israeli and Iranian conflict, Israel is opening a new ground front in Lebanon, potentially gearing up for a large-scale invasion.
Israel’s 91st Division has entered southern Lebanon, allegedly preparing for a major ground invasion. (Image / X Platform @Globalsurv)
According to Al Jazeera’s report on the 16th, based on Israeli military statements, this operation is described as a “limited and targeted” ground action that began two days prior in southern Lebanon.
The statement indicated that the 91st Division has entered specific areas to establish a so-called “security buffer zone,” which may extend from the Israel-Lebanon border to the south of the Litani River. The Israeli military does not rule out preparing to penetrate areas that far exceed those from the 2006 war.
Currently, Israel emphasizes that these actions are undertaken for national defense and security needs, particularly to ensure that northern Israel is protected from fire from Hezbollah. Al Jazeera analyzes that this statement, given to Israeli media, is aimed at the government’s request to increase the reserve personnel from 280,000 to a significant 450,000. This move can also be seen as an attempt by Israel to expand its operations in Lebanon into large-scale ground combat.