Jerusalem, Oct 13 (EFE).- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed that Hezbollah will not be able to re-establish its presence in southern Lebanon, even after Israeli troops withdraw, following operations aimed at dismantling the militia’s infrastructure.
«I have issued instructions to all levels of the army to ensure that terrorists do not return. Even once (Israeli) troops withdraw, we will not allow Hezbollah terrorists to return to these areas,” said Gallant during a visit to an observation post overseeing southern Lebanon.
Nearly two weeks ago, the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu authorized Israeli troops to begin a «limited ground operation» in southern Lebanon aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure and eliminating militants to facilitate the return of Israeli evacuees from the north.
Over the past year, more than 60,000 Israeli residents in northern communities have been evacuated to hotels or relatives’ homes due to the threat from Hezbollah, which began targeting Israeli territory in solidarity with Palestinians after Israel launched its offensive in Gaza.
Gallant said the military operation in nearby Lebanese villages targets military objectives, including underground tunnels and weapons depots. «Troops are destroying hundreds of munitions and anti-tank missiles.»
On Sunday, the Israeli army ordered the evacuation of another 20 localities in southern Lebanon, continuing a pattern of evacuations over the past two weeks in more than 100 Lebanese communities north of the Awali River, located over 50 km from the border.
«To date, targeted raids and ground operations in southern Lebanon have eliminated more than 100 terrorists and destroyed dozens of tunnel shafts and Hezbollah infrastructure,» the Israeli military said.
Additionally, more than 50 rocket launchers and 60 Hezbollah command posts have been destroyed, the statement said.
According to Israeli media outlet Haaretz, citing army sources, at least 25 Israeli soldiers have been wounded, two seriously, in separate incidents of anti-tank fire in Lebanon.
Lebanese authorities report that more than 2,200 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, most within the past three weeks of escalation.
The Lebanese government estimates that 1.2 million people have fled their homes due to the attacks. EFE
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