Israel Prepares Invasion of Lebanon

Israel Defense Force (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi assessed an army base in Kiryat Shmona on June 4, saying that the “IDF is prepared and very ready for this decision” on launching warfare on Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Times of Israel quotes Halevi: “We have been attacking for eight months, and Hezbollah is paying a very, very high price. It has increased its strength in recent days and we are prepared after a very good process of training ... to move to an attack in the north.” That night, Israel’s war cabinet met on that decision. No decision was reported, but National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the area and announced: “And now the IDF’s job is to destroy Hezbollah…. All Hezbollah strongholds should be burned, they should be destroyed. War!”