Israel issued a warning to Iran on Monday, asserting that no location in the Middle East is beyond its capabilities and suggesting a potential ground invasion of Lebanon following the assassination of the Hezbollah leader, a key adversary backed by Tehran, in a Beirut suburb last week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a three-minute video message directed at the Iranian populace, “There is no place we will not reach to safeguard our citizens and defend our nation.”

The assassination of Nasrallah on Friday, a significant figure in Tehran’s “Axis of Resistance” against Israeli and U.S. interests in the region, represents one of the most substantial setbacks for both Hezbollah and Iran in recent decades. Following two weeks of extensive airstrikes and a series of targeted killings of Hezbollah leaders, Israel, which has been preparing its forces for a possible ground operation, has indicated that a land invasion of Lebanon remains a viable option.

During a visit to troops stationed along Israel’s northern border, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized Israel’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of citizens who have sought refuge from Hezbollah rocket attacks amid nearly a year of ongoing border conflict.

“We will utilize all necessary resources—your forces, additional forces, from the air, sea, and land. Wishing you success,” Gallant stated after receiving updates from military commanders.

He noted that while the removal of Nasrallah is a significant objective, it is not the ultimate goal. “To guarantee the return of communities in northern Israel, we will leverage all our capabilities, including your involvement,” he added.

According to an unnamed U.S. official cited by The Washington Post, Israel has informed the U.S. of its intention to initiate a ground operation that could commence soon. This operation is expected to be smaller in scale than Israel’s 2006 conflict with Hezbollah, focusing primarily on the security of border communities.

In response to inquiries about these developments, U.S. President Joe Biden, who has faced challenges in persuading Israel to moderate its military actions, advocated for a ceasefire, stating, “I support them stopping.” The Pentagon directed reporters to Israel for further information regarding any potential land offensive.

Hezbollah prepared to counter ground invasion

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, delivered his first public address following the Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the death of Nasrallah last week. He asserted that his fighters are fully prepared to counter any ground invasion and disrupt its objectives. “The resistance forces are ready for a ground engagement,” he stated from an undisclosed location.

As he spoke, Israeli airstrikes continued in Beirut and other regions of Lebanon, prolonging a campaign that has lasted two weeks. This offensive has reportedly led to the deaths of several Hezbollah commanders, approximately 1,000 civilians, and has displaced one million people, according to the Lebanese government. The health ministry reported that the death toll from an Israeli strike on Ain Deleb, a town in southern Lebanon, has risen to 45, with rescuers working amidst the rubble of a collapsed building. “We are rescuing these people, pulling out the living, the torn apart, and the martyrs,” remarked rescuer Mazin al-Khatib.

The assassination of Nasrallah, along with targeted attacks on the group’s communication systems, represents a significant setback for the Shi’ite movement since its establishment by Iran in 1982 to combat Israel. Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah into Lebanon’s most formidable military and political entity, with influence extending throughout the Middle East. The organization now faces the challenge of finding a successor to a leader who was revered by millions for his defiance against Israel, despite being labeled a terrorist by the West.

Qassem indicated that Hezbollah would “choose a secretary-general for the party at the earliest opportunity … and fill the leadership and positions on a permanent basis.” He also noted that Hezbollah has continued to launch rockets into Israeli territory, reaching distances of up to 150 km (93 miles). “What we are doing is the bare minimum … We understand that the battle may be prolonged,” he stated. “We will emerge victorious as we did in the liberation of 2006,” he added, referencing the last major conflict between the two adversaries.

broader conflict

Hours prior to Qassem’s remarks, Hamas reported that an Israeli airstrike had resulted in the deaths of its leader in Lebanon, Fateh Sherif Abu el-Amin, along with his wife, son, and daughter in Tyre on Monday. Additionally, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine announced that three of its leaders were killed in a strike in the Kola district of Beirut, marking the first attack so close to the city center.

The Israeli strikes targeting militant positions in Lebanon are part of a broader conflict that extends from the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the occupied West Bank to Iranian-backed factions in Yemen and Iraq. This escalation has heightened concerns that the United States and Iran could become embroiled in the conflict.

Recent developments suggest that Israel remains committed to its military operations, showing no signs of restraint even after the elimination of Nasrallah. Prime Minister Netanyahu accused the Iranian government of exacerbating the situation in the Middle East, claiming it was leading its own people “closer to the abyss.”

In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that Tehran would not allow Israel’s “criminal acts” to go unanswered, referencing the killings of Nasrallah and Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, a deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, who also perished in the strikes.

Despite the heavy civilian casualties, the United States, Israel’s closest ally, has maintained its support. Meanwhile, while Arab nations have condemned Israel’s actions, none have taken significant measures to pressure it to curb its military operations, which has frustrated residents in Beirut like Abou Imad. He expressed his discontent, stating, “You are watching as they (Israel) take over all the Arab countries and take us all. This indifference is shameful, for the Lebanese and Palestinian people.”