Israeli warplanes pounded Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon in recent hours, destroying hundreds of rocket launchers that were ready to be used in an attack on Israel, the Israeli armed forces (IDF) said.

In one of the heaviest waves of airstrikes since early October – Lebanese media reported – Israeli jets struck more than 100 multiple rocket launcher systems, which consisted of around 1,000 missile tubes that would be used in an impending Hezbollah attack .

“The IDF will continue its operations aimed at degrading the capabilities and infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in order to defend the State of Israel,” the statement of the Israeli armed forces emphasizes.

Earlier today, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallad stressed that operations against Hezbollah would continue with the aim of ensuring the safe return of residents to the border areas of the north.

“Gradually, Hezbollah will pay a bigger and bigger price,” Gallad assured.

All this at a time when, as the IDF announced, the security instructions for residents of areas near the border with Lebanon have changed.

These are the areas:

Merom HaGalil
Mevo’ot HaHermon
Yesud HaMa’ala
Hatzor
Rosh Pinna
Safed
Metula

They are points located at a distance of hundreds of meters or even a few kilometers from the border.

Residents of these areas in particular are asked to avoid gatherings, limit movement, stay close to shelters and control entrances to their communities.

The war is in a new phase

The war is entering a new phase, admitted Israel, which, although it has not taken responsibility for the bloodshed, is mobilizing military units on the border with Lebanon, and indeed the strongest strike unit, and is focusing on the north. The Washington-Tel Aviv hotline is on fire, with the White House warning of an escalation of war.

The pawns on the war chessboard change positions. The 98th division of the Israeli Armed Forces is deployed from the Gaza Strip to the border with Lebanon and reinforces the 36th division operating in the area.

“I have already said it before, we will return the residents back to their homes in the North safely. This is exactly what we will do,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hezbollah blames Israel for the unprecedented attacks and vows revenge.

Although it does not admit it openly, everything shows that it took Israel only 24 hours to sow chaos and fear. By turning almost every device into a weapon, he succeeded in humiliating Hezbollah, making it appear powerless to defend itself and its members. Of course, the Iranian-backed Shiite organization still remains the most heavily armed non-state organization in the world, although it does not – by any means – have the strength of the Israeli military.

And fears of an all-out war are not stopping Washington from favoring a diplomatic solution.

In the middle of the night, however, two rockets are fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory, injuring eight people

Israeli artillery and air force respond and a new cycle opens with the British The Guardian underlining that the region has begun to dance on the edge of the abyss.