After intense airstrikes in Lebanon, the Israeli army has commenced a ground military operation. According to the Israeli army, the goal of this mission is to dismantle the Hezbollah infrastructure near the border. This military action will be confined to a limited scope. Meanwhile, Iran is preparing for a significant attack on Israel. Sources from the British government suggest that Iran plans to launch a ballistic missile strike on Israel.
A senior official from the White House and the Department of Defense stated today that Iran is likely to target military and government sites in Israel rather than civilian areas. However, Israel is fully prepared for a counter-attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message, said that Iran is squandering its resources on nuclear weapons and foreign wars, which could otherwise be invested in education, health, and national development.
According to Reuters, Israel executed several explosions in Lebanon using pager and walkie-talkie devices on September 17. These blasts claimed 39 lives, including both Hezbollah fighters and civilians. Since then, Israeli military actions in Lebanon have continued incessantly. Even Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has been killed. Now, the Israeli Defense Forces are conducting ground military operations in southern Lebanon.
Regarding this military operation by Israel, an emergency meeting of the Cabinet was held in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. The crisis affecting the nation was discussed at this meeting. Following the meeting, Lebanon's acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly criticized Israel and said that while Lebanon approached the United Nations to resolve the crisis, Israel chose betrayal. France has also condemned Israel's ground military action in Lebanon.
Earlier on Monday morning, Israel launched several airstrikes on residential areas in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. A high-rise residential building in the Cola area was targeted by missiles. At least four people were killed, and many others were injured. The IDF also claimed to have killed Hamas's Lebanon chief Fateh Sherif. Additionally, a soldier from the Lebanese army was killed.
The IDF announced that Hamas's Lebanon branch chief Fateh Sherif was eliminated in a precise airstrike by the Air Force. He coordinated terrorist activities of Hamas in Lebanon with Hezbollah fighters and managed recruitment and weapon supplies. Sherif was a recognized member of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and led the teachers' union in Lebanon.
It has been reported that for the first time in a year-long conflict, Israel has attacked residential areas in central Beirut. Lebanese acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that aside from diplomatic solutions, they have no other options to stop Israel.
