The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) may launch a ground military operation in southern Lebanon, home to Hezbollahin the second half of July. Bild reports this, citing its diplomatic sources on condition of anonymity, according to whom the Israeli army could attack “in the third or second week of July”. In the meantime, the German airline Lufthansa has announced the suspension of air connections with Beirut at least until July 31, citing “security reasons”.
This is an “extreme scenario” that could affect the delicate balance in the region, sources told Bild, speaking of a “war without limits” on the horizon. “Israel’s advance into Lebanon is looming closer than ever. A date has been set,” the source explained.
US intelligence agencies have also warned that, barring a last-minute deal between Israel and Hamas, the likelihood of all-out war has peaked “higher than at any time in recent weeks.”
Iran and its support for Hezbollah: “All means in the field for war against Israel”
Meanwhile, Iran is ready to deploy all the means at its disposal to support Hezbollah militants in a full-scale war against Israel. This was stated in an interview with the Financial Times by Kamal Kharazi, advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and head of Iran’s Strategic Council for International Relations.
“In such a situation, we would have no choice but to support Hezbollah by all means,” Kharazi stressed in response to a question about whether Iran would provide military support to the Shiite movement in the event of a full-scale conflict.The Arab people, the Arab countries and the axis of resistance will support Lebanon against Israel“, he added. However, according to the Iranian leader’s advisor, further escalation of the conflict and its expansion “does not correspond to the interests of either Iran or the United States.”
Raid Idf su Khan Younis
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) meanwhile conducted air strikes on Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, after ordering civilians to evacuate the area. According to the Israeli military, the strikes targeted sites in an area from which a barrage of 20 rockets was fired at Israeli towns yesterday.
According to the IDF, among the sites hit were a weapons depot, an apartment used by terrorists and other infrastructure.
Former Hostage Noa Argamani’s Mother Dies, She Was Terminally Ill
Liora Argamani, the mother of former hostage Noa, who was rescued last month in a raid by the Israeli Defense Forces in Nuseirat after eight months of captivity in the Gaza Strip, has died. The woman had terminal cancer and had repeatedly expressed the desire to see her daughter one last time before she died. Noa has been at her side in the hospital since she was released, Ynet recalls.
“My biggest concern during my captivity was my parents,” Noa said in a video message, referring to her mother’s terminal cancer. “It’s a great privilege to be able to be with her,” she added, asking that everything possible be done so that the other hostages can also regain their freedom.
