Israel prepares for ‘possible invasion’ of Lebanon; India issues advisory

The Israeli army chief has told his troops that the ongoing strikes in Lebanon may serve as a precursor to "possible entry" of soldiers into the “enemy territory.”

"You hear the jets overhead; we have been striking all day," General Herzi Halevi told troops.

"This is both to prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah," he is believed to have told the military.

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The Israeli army chief said that the motive of this operation would be to “safely return the residents of the north," as thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from border areas.

"To achieve that, we are preparing the process of a manoeuvre, which means your military boots, your manoeuvring boots, will enter enemy territory, enter villages that Hezbollah has prepared as large military outposts, with underground infrastructure, staging points, and launchpads into our territory and carry out attacks on Israeli civilians," Halevi said.

"You will go in, destroy the enemy there, and decisively destroy their infrastructure.”

This comes after the Israeli military on Wednesday mobilised reserve brigades to the northern border with Lebanon for "operational missions" in the area.

India issues advisory

India on Wednesday asked its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately in view of the recent developments and escalations.

"As a reiteration of the Advisory issued on 1 August 2024 and in view of the recent developments and escalations in the region, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Lebanon till further notice," the Indian embassy in Beirutsaid in a statement.

"All Indian nationals already in Lebanon are also strongly advised to leave Lebanon. Those who remain for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with Embassy of India in Beirut through our email ID: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +96176860128," the statement added.

Biden warns of all-out war

US President Joe Biden, onWednesday, warned of the possibility of an "all-out war" in the Middle East but said he was hopeful a settlement was still achievable for the conflict-torn region.

"An all-out war is possible," Biden said when asked about the situation. "What I think is, also, the opportunity is still in play to have a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region."

(With inputs from agencies)