Politics
Israel escalates attacks and prepares for ground invasion of Lebanon
Israel has escalated its attacks on Lebanon. Much of the media has framed the renewed strikes as a response to Hezbollah attacks on Sunday 1 March 2026. But, Israel has been regularly attacking Lebanon – particularly in the south of the country – since the 2024 ‘ceasefire’.
Hezbollah reportedly expects a ground invasion. The fact 100,000 Israeli reservists have been called up suggests their fears may be well founded. It also said it seeks to restore the regional balance of power as Israel and the US wage war on Iran – killing hundreds so far. The UK has now entered the war too.
France 24 reported on 2 March:
Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 31 people on Monday, authorities said, following rocket fire from Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
The Washington Post’s Tel Aviv reporter posted on X:
In a news briefing, @IDFSpokesperson said Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon that morning after the group claimed responsibility for a rocket and drone attack on Israel. “We targeted dozens of headquarters and senior commanders of the…
— Lior Soroka (@liorsoroka) March 2, 2026
He confirmed Israel had also called up a large number of reserves:
He also said the IDF called up nearly 100,000 reserve troops but refused to say whether the Israeli military was preparing for ground operations in Lebanon.
Hezbollah operations
The Hezbollah-aligned Al Ameen Network said:
Why did the resistance enter the war today of all days?
In short, Israel’s mobilization of 100,000 reserve soldiers indicates a plan for a ground invasion of Lebanon. This number of troops is not typically associated with a war with Iran, which is primarily characterized by air and missile strikes.
They said Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was shaping to attack the south:
The mobilization of such a large Israeli ground force reflects Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inclination to launch a ground operation inside Lebanese territory.
And that Hezbollah, an Iranian ally, would fight to restore the ‘defence equation’ and halve Israeli attacks:
Conversely, Hezbollah’s entry into the conflict alongside Iran strengthens its chances of restoring the deterrence equation it considers lost, and aims to halt the Israeli attacks that have continued since the ceasefire.
You can read months worth of reporting and analysis from the Canary here. It covers Israel’s colonialist water wars, illegal spraying with cancer chemicals, bombings, drone strikes and far-right settler incursions in detail.
Israel evidently wants to expand into Lebanon, whose territory its most fanatical citizens claim as their own.
Featured image via the Canary