Lebanon on High Alert: Israel’s Looming Shadow Sparks Fears of Imminent Invasion

Israel Prepares for Ground Operation in Lebanon

The Israeli army is preparing for a “possible attack” from Lebanon. “We are attacking all day – also to⁣ prepare ⁢the ​area for our possible entry,” the Times of Israel quoted army chief Herzi Halevi as saying during a military exercise. ⁣Israel aims to bring civilians back to the ⁤northern border areas and punish Hezbollah for the rocket ⁤attack on Tel Aviv. “To achieve this, we are preparing‍ a ground operation.”

Evacuation Plan in Place for⁢ EU Citizens

The ⁤Republic ‍of Cyprus is ‌ready to support the evacuation of citizens from EU countries and other states ⁣in the event of further military escalation in Lebanon. Preparations are at their peak, said Cypriot ⁤government spokesman Giannis Antoniou⁤ to the German Press Agency.

Cyprus is repeatedly a‌ hub for aid⁣ and evacuation operations in ⁤the event⁢ of ⁤crises in the Middle East. It is the geographically⁢ closest EU country. According ‌to government circles in Nicosia, ferries could be used if the airport in Beirut had to close. Those wishing to leave would then be ‍transported from Lebanon to ‍the port cities of Limassol or Larnaca. ‍People⁤ have been ‌brought to safety on these routes many times since the start of the Gaza war.

The evacuation plan called “Hestia” has been worked out in ⁢detail. It envisages that refugees will be temporarily accommodated‍ in tents, ⁤schools ‌and hotels until they fly on to their home countries, according to ​Foreign Ministry circles in ⁤Nicosia.

Iran’s Spiritual ⁢Leader Comments on Conflict

Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, comments on the growing conflict between Israel and the radical Islamist Hezbollah in Lebanon. Killing “valuable” members of​ Hezbollah will not bring the extremist organization to its knees, Khamenei ​said. The⁤ US government needs ‌an Israeli victory in ⁤view of ⁢the upcoming presidential elections in November, ‌Iran’s Supreme Leader said. The country has established ‍Hezbollah in Lebanon ⁣as⁢ a bulwark against Israel.

US Working⁣ to ​Prevent Full-Scale War

The ​United ⁢States is working tirelessly⁤ with its allies to ⁤prevent a full-scale war between the radical ⁢Islamic militia Hezbollah and Israel, said US Secretary of State Anthony ‍Blinken. “The risk of worsening in the region​ is serious.”

Casualties Mount in Lebanon

According to authorities there,⁤ at least 51 people were killed in a number of Israeli‍ military operations in Lebanon on Wednesday. The Lebanese Minister of Health, Firass Abiad, said that 223 people were‌ injured.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Hezbollah militia continues to bomb targets in Israel. The Shiite movement said ‍it had fired‌ dozens of rockets at‍ the Khazor town of Ashdod and a military base in the north of the country.