Extract from ABC News
Israel reportedly warns US of imminent ground invasion of Lebanon
In short:
Israel has told the United States it is conducting limited ground operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon near the border.
Israeli tanks have been gathering near the country's border with Lebanon, as speculation continues to grow it will launch a ground invasion.
What's next:
The deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah, Israel's primary adversary in Lebanon, says the militant group is ready for any invasion by Israel.
Israel has told the United States it is conducting limited ground operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon near the border with Israel, the US State Department has said.
"This is what they have informed us that they are currently conducting, which are limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.
Asked to confirm they were limited ground operations, he said: "That is our understanding."
It comes as Israel's defence minister all but confirmed plans to launch a large-scale ground invasion of Lebanon — although not the timing of it — as the country's military continued gathering near the border.
The operation aims to clear areas near the so-called Blue Line, which separates the states, of Hezbollah infrastructure.
Such a move would be the first time since 2006 that Israel had invaded Lebanon.
It would also signal yet another escalation in its conflict with Hezbollah just days after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) assassinated the militant group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut.
In a speech to troops on Monday, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said: "The elimination of Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the end."
He said Israel would use "all the means that may be required ... from the air, from the sea and on land. Good luck."
Yoav Gallant made a point of wishing soldiers "good luck" on Monday. (Supplied: Israel Government Press Office)
His statement appeared to confirm what many observers have been predicting.
Along with the statements from officials pointing towards that happening, video has emerged of more Israeli tanks gathering near the border and the IDF has mobilised multiple brigades of reserve soldiers to serve around the country — clear signs all pointing in one direction.
Hezbollah, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the Australian government, says it is ready for a potential Israeli ground invasion.
The militant group's deputy Naim Qassem on Monday gave a televised address — his first since Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike late last week.
"We will face any possibility and we are ready if the Israelis decide to enter by land and the resistance forces are ready for a ground engagement," he said.
He also said the group would pick a new leader soon.
Lebanon's Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem makes a point during his televised address. (Supplied: Al Manar TV via Reuters)
Hezbollah is particularly influential in southern Lebanon — an area that borders Israel, and from where it launches many of its attacks.
On Monday, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced his government was prepared to send its military to the border in a bid to stop Hezbollah's attacks as part of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Meanwhile, the IDF's air strikes in Lebanon continued on Monday, with multiple locations around the country struck again, mainly in the south.
The attacks have so far killed about 1,000 people and displaced 1 million, according to the Lebanese government.
ABC/wires
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