The IDF has declared a closed zone around three cities in the north of the country on the border with Lebanon.
The Israeli invasion of Lebanon may be just minutes away. On both sides of the Lebanese-Israeli border, armies are preparing to begin the operation.
This is reported by Israeli and Western media.
According to Reuters, the US believes that an IDF invasion of Lebanon is inevitable and has probably already begun. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that Israel has notified the US of “their ongoing operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border.” When asked whether the invasion had already begun, he replied: “That is our understanding.”
At the same time, the leading Israeli publication, the Times of Israel, denies Western media reports that the invasion of Lebanon has already begun.
“While people in Israel, Lebanon and elsewhere await the start of Israel's ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, several reports that it has already begun are being denied,” the publication writes.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari called for “sticking only to official reports and not spreading irresponsible rumors.”
However, both Western and Israeli media report that the Lebanese army has already retreated from several positions on the southern border with Israel. There is no official confirmation of this information from Lebanon at the time of publication.
According to an anonymous Reuters source in the security forces, the Lebanese army retreated at least 5 km north of the border.
At about 9 p.m. on Monday, September 30, the IDF declared a closed zone around three cities in the north of the country on the border with Lebanon.
“After assessing the situation, the Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi areas in northern Israel have been declared a closed military zone. Entry into this zone is prohibited. The corresponding order was signed by the commander of the Northern Group of the IDF,” the report said.
CNN notes that the closed area is located in the very north of Israel. It is possible that a bridgehead of Israeli troops will be located there, which will be involved in the upcoming ground operation on the territory of Lebanon.
Recall that the Israeli authorities warned the White House that they could begin a limited ground invasion of Lebanon in a few hours. The goal of the IDF ground operation could be the creation of a buffer zone on the territory of Lebanon.
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