IOF on edge: Suspected infiltration near Lebanon mobilizes large force

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
25 Jan 2024 12:54

Israeli media reports that an "error" was the cause of the reports of a suspected infiltration from Lebanon, ruling out any major incident near the Lebanese-Palestinian borders.

Israeli Merkava tanks were positioned in Upper al-Jalil near the border with Lebanon in October 2023. (AFP)

Israeli occupation forces said "an all-clear is given" after a suspected infiltration from South Lebanon close to the "Hanita" Kibbutz in the western al-Jalil this morning.

“The IDF conducted searches in the area and ruled out the suspicion of an infiltration or any security incident,” the Israeli military added.

Large forces of the Israeli army rushed to the area, as reported by Israeli media.

Israeli media reported that sirens blared in large areas near the border with Lebanon and the Israeli army instructed settlers close to "Hanita" Kibbutz in the North to stay in shelters. Simultaneously, several roads were closed, and checkpoints were set up in several areas.

The IOF also declared a state of alert in 9 settlements near the border with Lebanon, noting intensive activity by Israeli drones and warplanes in the skies over the northern border.

The incident occurred amid intense operations on the Lebanese-Palestinian border, particularly after the Israeli assassination of Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri, raising fears of a full-blown war.

'Israel' is deterred, not Hezbollah: Former 'Kiryat Shmona' Mayor

The former Mayor of the Israeli settlement of "Kiryat Shmona" warned, on Tuesday, that Hezbollah is not the deterred party, rather "Israel" is.

Talking to Israeli Channel 12, Prosfer Azran criticized the Israeli government's performance regarding the situation on the northern border, expressing doubt in the entity's leadership in stopping the Resistance in Lebanon and diminishing its threats.

Israeli media pointed out on Tuesday that the occupation entity is witnessing an unprecedented period and that the situation on the northern front is "extremely dangerous" and the internal front is under imminent threat.

Further shedding light on the deteriorating situation on the Lebanese-Palestinian borders, Israeli reports stated last week that Hezbollah has "established a security zone several kilometers inside "Israel" using its military capabilities and through its operations against the Israeli occupation."