Halevi asks army to prepare to expand Lebanon op in parallel with diplomacy

Israel is drawing up plans to expand its ground offensive in southern Lebanon alongside the diplomatic efforts, Israel’s top general said, as its warplanes intensified their air campaign against targets in Lebanon.

Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israeli army, said that “alongside the political attempt to reach understandings in Lebanon,” the Israeli army “must continue to formulate plans to continue the fighting in Lebanon, including expanding and deepening the ground maneuver.”

“We will activate this plan as needed,” he added.

“We continue to strike Hezbollah targets according to a clear plan in the entire region, from southern Lebanon to the Bekaa, all the way to Beirut and Syria,” Halevi went on to say.