Israel hints at ground invasion of Lebanon, Joe Biden warns of 'All Out WAR' | WATCH

Israel-Hezbollah War: Amid escalating violence in the Middle East, Israel has hinted at a potential ground invasion of Lebanon, following cross-border clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah. This comes as U.S. President Joe Biden warns of the possibility of "all-out war" in the region.

Top developments in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict

1. Israel prepares for ground offensive
   Israel’s army chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, told a tank brigade they were actively attacking Lebanon in preparation for a possible ground operation. This could mark a significant escalation in the conflict that has seen a rise in hostilities over the past year.

2. Hezbollah targets intensified
   Over the past three days, the Israeli military has struck more than 2,000 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, signaling a fierce response to ongoing attacks.

3. Netanyahu’s pledge
   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that military operations against Hezbollah will continue until residents displaced by the clashes in the north can return home safely.

4. Hezbollah targets Israeli intelligence
   Hezbollah claimed it had targeted Israel’s Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv for the first time in almost a year. The cross-border clashes intensified after the Gaza war erupted, triggered by Hamas’ attacks on Israeli towns in October last year.

5. US downplays imminence of ground operation
   While Israel is preparing for a potential invasion, the U.S. downplayed the likelihood of an immediate ground assault. “It doesn’t look like something is imminent,” said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, although President Biden expressed concern over the possibility of all-out war.

6. Calls for ceasefire
   International partners, including the U.S., France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border. A joint statement urged for de-escalation amid growing fears of regional war.

7. UN and global reactions
   UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to hostilities in Lebanon, warning that “hell is breaking loose.” Iran, Hezbollah’s primary backer, condemned the Israeli raids and hinted at backing Lebanon “by all means” if Israel escalated further.

8. India issues travel advisory
   In response to the growing conflict, India issued a strong advisory urging citizens against traveling to Lebanon. Indian nationals residing in Lebanon were also advised to leave the country immediately and exercise extreme caution.

BIG: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says Israel is preparing for a ground invasion in Lebanon.

"You can hear the planes above, we are attacking all day. Both to prepare the area for the possibility of your entry, and also to continue causing blows to Hezbollah.” pic.twitter.com/gjdNGODxQo

— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 25, 2024

Gaza conflict sparks cross-border violence

The latest round of violence between Israel and Hezbollah stems from the war in Gaza, which began after Iran-backed Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israeli towns on October 7 last year. The conflict has since spilled over into northern Israel, with Hezbollah, a close ally of Hamas, engaging in cross-border attacks.