Israel Shifts Ground Offensive in Southern Lebanon to Khiam


A snapshot shows the destruction in Khiam neighborhoods due to Israeli airstrikes (AFP)
A snapshot shows the destruction in Khiam neighborhoods due to Israeli airstrikes (AFP)
TT

Israel Shifts Ground Offensive in Southern Lebanon to Khiam


A snapshot shows the destruction in Khiam neighborhoods due to Israeli airstrikes (AFP)
A snapshot shows the destruction in Khiam neighborhoods due to Israeli airstrikes (AFP)

Israeli ground forces have shifted focus in southern Lebanon, advancing toward the strategic town of Khiam in a bid to reach the area near the Metula settlement, which overlooks large stretches of Israeli territory.

The Israeli military began a “testing” operation, deploying vehicles on two fronts: one near Metula and another through the Wazzani Plains, including Ghajar and Serdeh Hill. These open areas, with limited Hezbollah presence, allow for quick armored advances, military experts said.

The battle for Khiam is set to be a key focus for Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. It’s the first town they plan to enter after a year of air and artillery strikes, and it carries symbolic weight as home to Khiam Prison, a site run by Israel’s allied South Lebanon Army during its occupation. Rights groups have long condemned reports of abuse there.

Strategically, Khiam’s elevated position overlooks the Galilee and spans toward Ghajar and Wazzani, making it accessible from the east, west, and south.

Experts say Israeli forces are likely to avoid a western approach, which would expose them to fire, and instead advance from the south and east.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that a “large number” of Israeli tanks reached Hamamsa Hill on Khiam’s eastern outskirts, the furthest advance in southern Lebanon since Israeli operations began in late September.

Israeli tanks moved from Metula on Monday, pushing toward Hamamsa Hill, but faced strong resistance.

The lead tanks were hit by anti-tank missiles, and advancing forces encountered heavy artillery and rocket fire, forcing a retreat. Israeli forces responded with intense air and artillery strikes on the town.

Hezbollah later claimed it targeted Israeli soldiers near Khiam, located about six kilometers from the Israeli border, with a barrage of rockets.

On Tuesday morning, Israeli forces resumed attempts to advance from the eastern and southern fronts near Khiam, sparking clashes on both sides of the town, local media reported.

Hezbollah announced it had targeted Israeli soldiers on Khiam’s outskirts with rockets and artillery, claiming its fighters struck a Merkava tank with an anti-tank missile, causing it to catch fire and inflicting casualties.

The Iran-backed group has used a variety of weapons to counter the Israeli advance, including guided missiles, artillery, and drones. It also reported striking Israeli supply lines and said it downed a Hermes 900 drone near Marjayoun, where the fighting continues.

Hezbollah reported last week that it has been pushing back Israeli attempts to infiltrate border villages, with some clashes happening at close range.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has shared videos showing the demolition of homes in towns it has entered, with explosions captured in Mais al-Jabal, Aitaroun, Yarine, and Dhahira.

Despite the military pressure, Hezbollah has continued launching rockets. A person in Tarshiha was killed by a rocket fired from Lebanon, triggering sirens across multiple Galilee towns.

The Israeli military confirmed that around 50 rockets were fired from Lebanon in this latest attack.



Lebanon PM Says Hopes for Ceasefire With Israel in 'Coming Hours or Days'

This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)
TT

Lebanon PM Says Hopes for Ceasefire With Israel in 'Coming Hours or Days'

This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)

Lebanon's prime minister said US envoy Amos Hochstein had signaled during a phone call Wednesday that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war was possible before US elections are held on November 5.
"The call today with Hochstein suggested to me that perhaps we could reach a ceasefire in the coming days, before the fifth" of November, Najib Mikati said in a televised interview with Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed.
Hochstein was heading to Israel on Wednesday to discuss conditions for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem on Wednesday said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented, reported AFP.
"We are doing our best... to have a ceasefire within the coming hours or days," Mikati told Al-Jadeed, adding that he was "cautiously optimistic".
Mikati said Hezbollah is no longer linking a ceasefire in Lebanon to a truce in Gaza, but criticized the group over its "late" reversal.
Previously, Hezbollah had repeatedly declared it would stop its attacks on Israel only if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.
However, Qassem on Wednesday said the group would accept a ceasefire under conditions deemed "appropriate and suitable", without any mention of the Palestinian territory.
Mikati said a ceasefire would be linked to the implementation of the United Nations resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Security Council Resolution 1701 states that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should be deployed in southern Lebanon, while demanding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
"The Lebanese army is ready to strengthen its presence in southern Lebanon" and ensure that the only weapons and military infrastructure in the area are those controlled by the state, Mikati said.
He also said he would continue to try to shield Lebanon's only airport from attacks by Israel.
"I can guarantee that we will not give anyone an excuse to undermine our security or our air traffic," Mikati said.
Aid deliveries from Iran, Iraq and Algeria can "come by sea", he said, in order not to give Israel a pretext to launch strikes.
Mikati also said it was too dangerous to try to reopen Lebanon's main land border with Syria, which was put out of service by an Israeli strike this month.
"We sent a bulldozer to fill the crater at the crossing and it was bombed," Mikati said.
"We will not expose anyone to danger before we have full guarantees."