Israel deploys troops to northern border as fears of ground offensive in Lebanon grow

Israel has deployed troops near the border with Lebanon, a day after the air strikes in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “settled the score” with Nasrallah’s death, calling it a “historic turning point”.

That troop buildup follows comments from the Israeli military on Wednesday that it was preparing for a possible ground operation in Lebanon.

Speaking to troops on the northern border, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Israel’s airstrikes were designed to “prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah.”

Lebanon is currently observing three days of mourning following Nasrallah’s killing but Israeli warplanes have continued to bombard Beirut with the health ministry reporting 33 people killed across Lebanon on Saturday.

The IDF released footage on Saturday it says showed strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. 

The Israeli military said that “among the targets that were struck are Hezbollah launchers that were aimed toward Israeli territory, structures in which weapons were stored and additional Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of displaced families have been sleeping in public spaces in Beirut as the Israeli aerial assault continues.

Many families took shelter in public squares and beaches or in their cars in the city centre, which has so far been spared from the barrage.

“We just want a safe place, we do not need clothes or aid or food or drink. We just want a safe place so that our children are not afraid, we left the Syrian war for the sake of the children, we came here and the same war happened,” said Syrian refugee, Fatima Ziyada.

The wave of displacement comes alongside a rapid escalation over the past week that has killed more than 700 people in Lebanon and culminated with a massive barrage of strikes Friday and overnight that levelled at least six multi-story buildings.

And across the border in Israel, Tel Aviv residents took shelter as sirens sounded throughout the city.

The Israeli military said a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted shortly after the sirens were heard.

There were no reports of injuries.

It was not immediately known if the missile strike was aimed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight who cut short a trip to the US to return to Israel.