IDF Chief Of Staff Ensures Israeli Troops Continue To Attack Hezbollah's Target In Beirut

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Senior Israeli military officials said they would continue to attack Hezbollah's targets in Beirut, Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.

Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said in a video message on Thursday the military was "strengthening" Hezbollah's infrastructure near the Lebanese border and would continue to carry out attacks on the militant group.

Lt. Gen. Halevi said returning residents near the border to their homes "means destroying the terrorist infrastructure Hezbollah has built near the border so they can storm our community and kill Israeli civilians if ordered."

"We are very determined to destroy this infrastructure and kill anyone there. We will not allow Hezbollah to establish itself in these places," Lieutenant General Halevi, quoted by The Times of Israel, October 4.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of embedding weapons facilities under the residential building in Beirut, while Israeli political leaders increasingly oppose international calls for restraint and anger over rising civilian casualties in Lebanon and Gaza.

Lieutenant General Halevi said in his video message that Israeli troops were "more prepared and trained than ever, with experience from operations in Gaza, and their advantages in the combat arena are clear."

As previously reported, three Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday afternoon local time. Israel confirmed it was attacking Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, quoted by CNN.

Previously, the IDF issued an order to vacate 25 additional villages in southern Lebanon, signaling the expansion of ground attacks in the country. A total of 76 villages in southern Lebanon have now received orders for evacuation from the IDF since Tuesday, October 1.

On Wednesday, the IDF announced the delivery of additional divisions to participate in the land war in Lebanon, after reaffirming the invasion was limited, localized, and targeted.