The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it is deploying regular infantry and armored units to enhance ground operations in southern Lebanon, intensifying its efforts against Hezbollah in response to a series of Iranian missile strikes.

While already engaged in combat with Hamas in Gaza, Israel is increasing its military presence in southern Lebanon following the recent Iranian attack, raising concerns about the potential for a broader conflict in the oil-rich Middle East.

The involvement of infantry and armored forces from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, and the 6th Infantry Brigade, indicates that the operation has escalated beyond limited commando actions.

The military has stated that the primary objective of the ground operation is to dismantle tunnels and other border infrastructure, with no intentions of launching a larger offensive against Beirut or significant urban areas in southern Lebanon.

Iran announced on Wednesday that its missile assault on Israel, marking its largest military operation against the nation, has concluded, unless further provocations occur. In response, both Israel and the United States have vowed to retaliate. According to Israeli officials cited by the U.S. news outlet Axios, Israel is expected to execute a “significant retaliation” within days, potentially targeting oil production facilities in Iran and other key locations.

Despite appeals for a ceasefire from the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group, persisted on Wednesday. Israel intensified its airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah, conducting at least a dozen strikes against what it identified as the group’s positions.

fresh evacuation orders

Significant smoke plumes were observed rising from various suburban areas. Israel has issued fresh evacuation orders for the region, which has seen a substantial decrease in population following several days of intense bombardment.
According to Lebanese government statistics released on Tuesday, nearly 1,900 individuals have lost their lives and over 9,000 have been injured in Lebanon due to nearly a year of cross-border conflict, with the majority of casualties occurring in the last two weeks.
Hezbollah reported that it engaged Israeli forces attempting to infiltrate the Lebanese town of Adaisseh early Wednesday, successfully driving them back.
The missile strikes from Iran, coupled with Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, have raised global concerns, as Tehran’s regional allies—Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and various armed factions in Iraq—have initiated attacks in solidarity with Hamas.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Iran and Hezbollah to cease their assaults on Israel immediately, cautioning that Iran could exacerbate tensions throughout the region. Japan has also expressed deep concern regarding the escalating situation.

Iran stated that the recent attack on Israel was exclusively directed at military installations and was a reaction to the Israeli killings of militant leaders, including Hezbollah’s chief Hassan Nasrallah, as well as Israeli actions in Lebanon and Gaza. According to Iran’s state news agency, three Israeli military bases were targeted in the assault.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated in a post on X early Wednesday that their actions would cease unless the Israeli regime provoked further retaliation, which would be met with a stronger and more forceful response.

Netanyahu promised a counterattack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised a counterattack, asserting that Iran will incur significant repercussions.

The United States has announced its commitment to collaborate with Israel to ensure that Iran faces “severe consequences” for the attack, which Israel claims involved over 180 ballistic missiles.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin communicated with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant late Tuesday, affirming that Washington is “well-postured” to protect its interests in the Middle East, as stated by the Pentagon.

The Pentagon also noted that the airstrikes carried out by Iran on Tuesday were approximately double the scale of the assault in April.

Israel activated its air defense systems in response to Iran’s missile strikes on Tuesday, successfully intercepting most of the projectiles “by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States,” according to Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a video posted on X. He characterized Iran’s assault as a significant and perilous escalation.

In a statement released by state media, Iran’s military leadership warned that any retaliation from Israel would result in “widespread destruction” of Israeli infrastructure. They also indicated that they would target the regional assets of any Israeli ally that intervened.

On Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened with his national security and economic advisors to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, urging a prompt yet measured response to any potential effects on the nation’s energy supply, as reported by his office.