The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have expressed a desire to drive the Lebanese Allah armed group out of the southern part of the country.
The Israeli military has drawn up plans to invade neighboring Lebanon aimed at repelling the Shiite militant group Allah, which has been launching cross-border attacks against Israel in recent weeks, The Times and Newsweek, citing IDF reports.
Since the recent outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October, Hamas militants in Gaza have launched surprise attacks on Israeli territory, and the exchange of fire between Israel and Allah has been increasing. About 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 hostages were kidnapped in that attack. Israeli relentless bombardment in Gaza has since killed more than 18,700 people, according to local health**.
The Lebanese militant group Allah openly supports Hamas. However, the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said they would not launch a large-scale offensive against Israel unless provoked or Hamas was on the verge of defeat.
However, according to The Times, the IDF has decided that the imminent threat posed by Allah cannot be accepted and has developed plans to invade southern Lebanon, pushing the militant group north to the Litani River.
In an interview with The Times, an IDF senior ** said Israel fears Allah could launch an Oct. 7-style attack in northern Israel. Therefore, Israel's principle is to "push the war to the other side," he said.
According to the newspaper, the IDF "has already approved the plan and developed a timetable for preparation."
Newsweek similarly reported that Koenicus told reporters that while there was a "window of opportunity for peace," the Israeli army was "ready" to protect the safety of Israeli citizens.
"Just as we are now disbanding Hamas in Gaza and ensuring that Israelis living in southern Israel are not subject to military threats, we will do the same with Allah if needed," he reportedly said. ”
Allah spokesman Haji Mohammed Afif said in an exclusive interview with Russia Today last week that Allah plans to "maintain the current pace of war" and described it as "support and solidarity with the Palestinian people."
Israel** has not publicly commented on the possibility of launching a military offensive. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that if Allah launches a full-scale war against the IDF, Beirut will become "Gaza."