Ravaging Conflict: Israeli Military's Operations and Destruction along Lebanon-Israel Border
ICARO Media Group
**Destruction and Tension on the Lebanon-Israel Border amid Israeli Incursion**
The Israeli military's recent ground operations in Lebanon have left a trail of destruction in their wake. The incursion, which was aimed at dismantling Hezbollah's weapons and infrastructure, has led to a stark scene of demolished homes and disrupted lives along the border. The ceasefire established a generation ago is in shambles, as Israeli forces press deeper into Lebanese territory, sparking ongoing confrontations.
Israeli military vehicles have pounded the landscape, turning roads to dust, and leaving broken remnants of the ceasefire fence behind them. The Israeli army justified the invasion, describing it as a series of "limited, localized, targeted raids." However, the reality on the ground tells a story of significant destruction and active combat. The village we were taken to, a few miles into Lebanon, showcased demolished buildings, artillery damage, and ongoing firefights with Hezbollah fighters.
Colonel Yaniv Malka, the brigade commander, informed us that the area was not yet clear of Hezbollah operatives. Evidence of the recent "face-to-face combat" between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters was palpable, with small-arms fire ringing out as close as 500 meters away. Malka painted a vivid picture of close-quarters battles taking place within the confines of the village streets.
The devastation in the village was extensive. Houses were reduced to rubble, and those still standing bore the scars of heavy artillery and gunfire. Two Israeli tanks sat amid the wreckage, evoking scenes that are reminiscent of Gaza's war-torn areas. Our movements were tightly controlled by the military, limiting us to a specific area within the village, while neighboring buildings seemed untouched from our vantage point.
Israeli troops have been finding numerous weapons caches within civilian homes, including brand-new mortars, anti-tank missiles, mines, and sophisticated night scopes. "Dozens of houses were booby-trapped," said Colonel Malka. "We had no choice but to destroy them." The army's findings underscore the magnitude of Hezbollah's stockpiles near the border, with officers revealing thousands of weapons and pieces of ammunition were discovered in this village alone.
Chief of Staff Roy Russo of the 91st Division showcased various weapons and equipment allegedly used by Hezbollah to transform from civilians into combatants. This transformation zone, Russo explained, was designed for executing cross-border attacks on Israel. Such discoveries were used to justify the invasion, suggesting Hezbollah was planning assaults similar to the Hamas attacks on October 7 the previous year.
The Israeli military revealed how special forces had been conducting covert operations across the Lebanese border for nearly a year. These units carried out over 70 raids targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, including underground tunnels, with one unfinished tunnel stopping just 30 meters from the ceasefire line with Israel.
Colonel Malka emphasized that their objective isn't to occupy the villages but to eliminate the military threats they harbor. "We want to take all the ammunition and fighting equipment out," he said, expressing hope that civilians would see the benefits of peace over terrorist control.
The situation remains tense, with a historical backdrop of unresolved UN resolutions post the 2006 ground war between Israel and Hezbollah. For almost two decades, both sides have been on high alert, preparing for the next inevitable confrontation. As Colonel Malka, a veteran of that war, puts it, "This one is different."