A senior U.S. official revealed on Monday that Israel will launch a “limited” ground invasion into southern Lebanon in the near future. 

While specific details regarding the invasion remain undisclosed, the official confirmed that this operation will be smaller in scope and duration compared to the 2006 Israeli campaign against Hezbollah. 

Following the confirmation of an imminent Israeli invasion, the Pentagon informed reporters that they are deploying “a few thousand” additional troops to the Middle East to bolster the existing U.S. forces on heightened alert. This announcement comes just one day after President Biden stated his intention to.

 

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that this increase in troop presence will be achieved through new deployments as well as by extending the deployment of fighter jet squadrons that were previously scheduled for replacement.

The fighter jet squadrons, comprising F-15 Strike Eagles, F-16, A-10, and F-22 fighter jets, will remain in the Middle East, although the Pentagon did not specify the duration of their extended deployment.

Singh clarified that the increased force presence is not intended to support a potential evacuation.

“Their purpose is to protect U.S. forces, and they are prepared, if necessary, to defend Israel,” she added. 

Israel’s top commander on Monday once again hinted at preparations for a campaign in southern Lebanon.

“To ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities, we will utilize all our capabilities, including you,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated to soldiers of the Israel Defense Force stationed on the border with Lebanon. 

Gallant informed the troops that the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who led the terrorist organization for over 30 years, was “a significant step, but not the final one.”

“We trust you to successfully complete every mission,” Gallant added. 

The world first anticipated an Israeli invasion into Lebanon last week when Israeli security officials moved and advised troops there to be “prepared.”

Although no official order for a ground invasion has been issued by Jerusalem, Israel has undertaken a substantial aerial campaign against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, alongside targeted strikes in Beirut, over the past week. 

Biden addressed reporters’ questions regarding the “limited” invasion on Monday, stating, “I’m more aware than you might know.”

When asked if he was comfortable with the operational plans, he replied, “I’m comfortable with them stopping. We should have a ceasefire now.”

Special forces have reportedly been conducting small raids in southern Lebanon over the “past months” using tunnels constructed by Hezbollah but seized by Israel during Operation Northern Shield, which commenced in 2018. 

These tunnels, built with the , connect southern Lebanon to northern Israel. 

According to a report by the on Monday, unnamed sources claimed that these “targeted” raids have been carried out to gather intelligence on Hezbollah and to impede the group’s ability to attack Israel.

Israeli officials have declared that the objective of these intensified attacks against the terrorist group is to secure the safe return of approximately 60,000 residents who have fled the northern border due to concerns about a potential repetition of the Oct. 7 attack. 

As fighting in the region has escalated, and uncertainty surrounding the potential response of Hezbollah and Iran to Nasrallah’s death persists, it remains unclear when Jerusalem anticipates these residents will be able to return to their homes. 

“Our goal is to ensure the [safe] return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes,” Gallant stated to Israeli troops on Monday, according to a statement provided to Digital by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. “We are prepared to exert every necessary effort to accomplish this mission. 

“We will utilize all the means that may be required – your forces, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and on land,” he added. “Good luck.”