Israel says it needs 12,000 more soldiers amid rising tensions with Hezbollah

The Israeli army has announced plans to recruit 12,000 additional soldiers, including 7,000 for combat units, as tensions with Hezbollah escalate along the Lebanese border.

The move comes as Israeli forces intensify air raids and artillery strikes in southern Lebanon, amid growing concerns of a wider confrontation with the group.

On Saturday, Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, reported that Israeli officials had warned the United States that Hezbollah is regrouping and issued a message to the Lebanese army, cautioning that Israel would continue its operations forcefully unless Beirut acts to curb the group’s activities.

Last week, Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz accused Hezbollah of “playing with fire” and criticized the Lebanese president for “stalling on disarming the group.” Katz said, “The Lebanese government must meet its obligation to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon. We will not allow residents in Israel’s north to live under threat.”