The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) announced Sunday they had taken further steps in preparing for a potential battle along the northern border, where they have been exchanging fire with the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, for six months.

In a statement titled "Readiness for the Transition from Defense to Offense," the military stated that the phase completed focused on logistics "for a broad mobilization" of Israeli troops.

"The commanders of the regular and reserve units are prepared to summon and equip all the required soldiers in just a few hours and transport them to the front line for defensive and offensive missions," the IOF continued.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah announced on Saturday conducting a range of operations against Israeli military bases, sites, and forces across the Lebanese-Palestinian border as the Israeli war on Gaza marks its 183rd day.

Hezbollah said in a statement that the operations come in "in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza and their brave and honorable Resistance and in response to the Israeli attacks on the resolute southern Lebanese villages and towns and civilian homes."

Read more: War with Hezbollah to be 'Israel's' deadliest: 130-page Israeli report

Every day that goes by without Israeli settlers returning to the northern settlements means that "Israel" has already lost the war, the mayor of "Kiryat Shmona", Avichai Stern, said Friday.

In an interview with the Israeli KAN public broadcaster, Stern said the situation in the northern settlements "has not changed in half a year," adding, "History has taught us that when Hezbollah wants to shoot, it does so, and especially at us, not at Tel Aviv."

Describing the reality of northern occupied Palestine, Stern said, "We are seeing a rate of fire, injuries, and a type of weaponry that we have not seen in previous wars."

The battles to continue until Gaza is victorious

On Friday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, saluted the Resistance fighters on the Lebanese front, stressing that they were "at the highest level of readiness, morale is high, and the momentum is great."

"The achievements of this battle, of which the South Lebanon front is a part, will benefit all of Lebanon," Sayyed Nasrallah said, noting that it would bless its sovereignty on land, in the sea, and in the air.

"Lebanon is in a position of strength, and we regret that there are those who are threatening war and setting dates for it," he added.

Hezbollah's leader also affirmed that "the Resistance in Lebanon does not fear war, and it is fully prepared for any confrontation [...] we have not yet used our main weapons thus far."

"If they want war, we welcome them with open arms," Sayyed Nasrallah said. "The enemy knows what war with Lebanon means."

He added, "We are in the midst of a battle in South Lebanon in which we are offering the best of our youth. It is a battle based on jihadist ethics and loyalty, and we will not hesitate."

Sayyed Nasrallah concluded by saying, "We will continue the battle until the resistance and Gaza emerge victorious."