Israel prepared for ‘very intense action’ in north, says Netanyahu after IDF reserves cap raised to 350,000
Government approves raising maximum number of IDF reservists by 50,000
The State of Israel is prepared to escalate its military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Wednesday.
“We are prepared for very intense action in the north. One way or another, we will restore security,” Netanyahu vowed during a tour of the northern border and the large areas that burned as a result of Hezbollah attacks this week.
“We said at the start of the war that we would restore security in both the south and the north – and this is what we are doing. Today I am on the northern border with our heroic fighters and commanders, as well as with our firefighters,” he continued.
“Yesterday, the ground burned here and I am pleased that you have extinguished it, but the ground also burned in Lebanon. Whoever thinks he can hurt us and we will respond by sitting on our hands is making a big mistake,” the prime minister warned.
Netanyahu’s visit followed separate visits by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, and several politicians, after dozens of wildfires ignited by projectiles fired from southern Lebanon destroyed vast areas of the Galilee region and the Golan Heights.
Amid heightened tensions in the north and intensified operations in Gaza, the Israeli government approved raising the maximum number of IDF reservists that can be called up for service from 300,000 to 350,000, Israeli media reported Wednesday.
Following Hamas’ invasion on Oct. 7, the IDF activated 287,000 reservists, most of whom had already been released from duty, amounting to what was reportedly the largest military call-up in Israeli history.
IDF officials later told KAN News that raising the cap of reservists isn’t directly related to the situation in the north but rather came in response to operational needs during the ongoing operation in Rafah.
בהמשך להתרעה על חדירת כלי טיס עוין שהופעלה בצפון הארץ, לוחמי ההגנה האווירית יירטו בהצלחה מטרה אווירית חשודה במרחב מטולה שחצתה מלבנון.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 5, 2024
זמן קצר לאחר מכן, הופעלה התרעה נוספת בצפון הארץ, במהלכה שוגר מיירט לעבר מטרה אווירית חשודה שחצתה לשטח הארץ מלבנון, האירוע הסתיים>> pic.twitter.com/nqXzSgxb0X
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continued its attacks against northern Israel on Wednesday morning.
The IDF said it successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target near the town of Metula and another target at an undisclosed location.
Both targets, most likely drones, crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon and were shot down before causing damage or casualties.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
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