The Lebanese army withdrew on Monday night from several positions near the border with Israel in what appears to be a sign of an imminent Israeli attack in that area, especially in the Khiam, Kfar Kila, and Wazzani River areas, which were subjected to constant bombardment by the Tel Aviv forces for hours.
Taking advantage of the withdrawal, Israeli troops conducted lightning raids into Lebanese territory. Simultaneously, the capital, Beirut, was bombed, while Hezbollah confirmed the first ground combat on the border with Israel after approving a "new phase" of the war in Netanyahu's Cabinet.
A local official from Wazzani, Ahmad Chehade, quoted by the newspaper L'OrientLe Jour, stated that the Israelis had called him in the afternoon urging him to evacuate the entire population of that area "in less than two hours."
American broadcasters like CBS quoted Washington spokespeople pointing out that the Israeli onslaught could begin on Monday night or the following early morning.
The tense situation on the border between the two countries has also affected the United Nations troops stationed in that area, including about 650 Spanish soldiers.
A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, admitted that foreign troops "remain in their position, but the intensity of the fighting prevents them from moving and limits their ability to complete the surveillance tasks assigned to them."
Israeli troops also declared a closed military zone until October 6 in the border areas with that region, including towns like Metula or Kfar Giladi.
That date indicates the limited duration that this offensive intends to have, as reported by Israeli media.
The US Department of State acknowledged that Israel had informed them of the attack and indeed assumed that the raids had already begun.
"I have seen reports about ground operations. We have been told that these are limited operations focused on the infrastructure of Hezbollah near the border. But we are in constant conversation with them about it," stated Matthew Miller, a Washington spokesperson.
The news of the impending ground assault coincided with a new wave of rockets launched by Hezbollah against Haifa and other towns in northern Israel.