Image Credit: ODD ANDERSEN / Contributor / Getty Images 
Planning for a huge Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon is currently underway.
Israeli and US officials who spoke to Axios said the entire region south of the Litani river has been marked for occupation, with the aim of dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
The operation could be the largest since the disastrous 2006 invasion.
“We are going to do what we did in Gaza,” a senior Israeli official said, making reference to the leveling of buildings Israel says Hezbollah is using to store weapons and launch attacks.
According to Axios, while the US government supports an operation against Hezbollah, it is also urging the Israeli government to limit damage to the Lebanese state and look to hold direct talks with the Lebanese government about a postwar settlement.
Israel’s attitude to Lebanon is reported to have changed on Wednesday, when Hezbollah launched hundreds of missiles against Israel in a coordinated attack.
Israel responded with missiles of its own.
“Before this attack we were ready for a ceasefire in Lebanon, but after it there is no way back from a massive operation,” a senior Israeli official said.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) already have three armored and infantry divisions on the border with Lebanon, and will now send additional troops to join them.
The IDF has issued an evacuation order for southern Lebanon, as well as Hezbollah strongholds around the capital, Beirut.
On Friday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said there is now “no solution except resistance.”
“When the enemy threatens a ground invasion, we tell him: this is not a threat, but one of the traps you will fall into,” Qassem said.
“Because every advance of a ground invasion allows the resistance fighters to achieve gains and results through close confrontation with the enemy.”
Lebanon’s government has indicated its readiness to hold immediate talks with Israel, without any preconditions.
