Israel’s Security Cabinet to Meet as 280 Hezbollah Targets Hit

Jerusalem, 25 September, 2024 (TPS) -- Israel’s Security Cabinet was due to meet on Wednesday night, sparking speculation of an impending ground invasion of Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli Air Force jets struck more than 280 Hezbollah targets during the day, including the terror group’s intelligence headquarters.

Also destroyed were weapons storage facilities, ready-to-use launchers, and other assets, as well as the missile launchers used during the day’s barrages targeting Safed, Nahariya and other areas, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The IDF added that Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters and 60 related targets were also struck.

The Iran-backed terror group’s attacks persisted throughout the day, starting with the launch of a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv — the first time Hezbollah has targeted the city. In the Western Galilee, two Israelis were hospitalized with shrapnel injuries when a rocket struck their house. Another missile struck an assisted-living house in Safed, which was empty.

The Israel Electric Corp. also reported an apparent attempt to hit an unspecified “strategic” facility. “Thanks to the protective measures installed in advance, there is no damage to the site,” the company said.

As the situation unfolded, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced he was delaying his departure for the U.S. to Thursday. Netanyahu will be attending the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly, which he is scheduled to address on Friday.

The Security Cabinet is due to meet on Wednesday, prompting widespread talk of a possible ground war. The speculation was further fueled when the army announced the remobilization of two reservist brigades for the northern front.

Around 63,500 residents of northern Israel were forced to evacuate their homes when Hezbollah began launching rockets and drones in October. The terror group has launched more than 9,300 rockets and drones, killing 49 people on the Israeli side.

Hezbollah leaders have said they will continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes.

Israeli officials have been calling for Hezbollah to be disarmed and removed from southern Lebanon in compliance with UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War.