Gaza [Palestine], August 25: The Israeli military said on August 25 that it had launched preemptive strikes in Lebanon after discovering that Hezbollah forces there were preparing for a large-scale attack against Israel, according to AFP.
"We are monitoring Hezbollah's preparations to carry out large-scale attacks on Israeli territory near your homes. You are in danger. We are attacking and eliminating the Hezbollah threat," the IDF warned residents of southern Lebanon.
In an Arabic message, the IDF called on residents in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah is active to "leave immediately."
"Anyone near the area where Hezbollah operates should leave immediately to protect themselves and their families. The IDF will do everything necessary to protect Israeli citizens. In the coming hours, we will update you on the latest developments," the message said.
According to Reuters, flights arriving and departing from Ben Guiron airport in Tel Aviv have been suspended. The Israeli cabinet is scheduled to meet at 7:00 a.m. on August 25 (local time, 11:00 a.m. in Vietnam).
Earlier on August 24, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel was preparing for "a crucial week" amid reports that Hezbollah would retaliate in the next few days, after Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in Beirut (Lebanon) on July 30 in an Israeli attack.
According to Ynet , the attack will take place "in the coming days" and will be coordinated by Iran. However, Iran is not expected to attack at the same time as Hezbollah, despite declaring retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Iran accused Israel of being behind the assassination, while Israel neither admitted nor denied it.
Senior Israeli officials say Hezbollah's response is expected regardless of the outcome of ceasefire talks in the Gaza Strip.
Channel 12 and Haaretz also reported that Hezbollah will retaliate against Israel in the coming days. The Channel 12, Israel has warned that if Hezbollah attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will respond harshly in Beirut and target "major assets" of Lebanon and Hezbollah .
Hagari said Israel was "facing a critical week as negotiations continue in Cairo, clashes continue in Gaza and the northern border". "Our readiness is very high offensively and defensively," he stressed, calling on citizens to be vigilant.
The warnings came as the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown, began a visit to the Middle East on August 24 to discuss ways to avoid all-out war in the region, according to The Times of Israel .
Mr Brown began his trip in Jordan and said he would also travel to Egypt and Israel in the coming days to listen to military leaders. He said the US was closely monitoring Iran's moves and sending reinforcements as a deterrent.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper