Israel occupation army discussed ending ground invasion in Lebanon, then backed down

The Israeli army and Israeli security services discussed earlier this week announcing the end of the ground invasion in southern Lebanon having achieved the goals that were set, but then backed down.

“The decision was made to freeze the announcement,” said the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation Kan 11 in a report on Wednesday evening, “against the backdrop of the ceasefire talks with Lebanon mediated by the US, which have made progress in recent days.”

“The achievements of the Israeli army are great and are close to completion,” Kan quoted an unnamed Israeli security source as saying. “We can finish as soon as we decide to do so, and after signing the ceasefire agreement, according to the criteria set by the political level and the General Staff [of the Israeli army].”

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said on Wednesday evening that, “Along with attempts to reach political agreements in Lebanon, we must continue to develop plans for the war in Lebanon, especially expanding the ground manoeuvre. We are activating these plans as needed, and we are continuing to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa, Beirut and Syria.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the now former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the occupation army had changed the balance of power in the Middle East in Gaza, Tehran, Hodeida and the southern suburbs of Beirut, boasting that Israel has “pushed our enemies back decades.”

READ: Hezbollah chief vows to force Israel to end Lebanon assault