A Merkava IV tank. FILE PHOTO: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
On October 12, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had deployed reservists to towns on the front with Lebanon.
“The forces are carrying out various defense tasks in the towns, which include patrols, ambushes, and the deployment of roadblocks, in order to ensure the safety of the residents,” the IDF said.
Video footage released by the IDF showed dozens of Merkava main battle tanks, Doher self-propelled howitzers and armored personnel carriers of different types amassing close to the front with Lebanon.
Several clashes were reported on the Lebanon front following the surprise large-scale attack launched by the Hamas Movement and other Palestinian armed factions from the Gaza Strip on October 7.
Hezbollah targeted several IDF posts with anti-tank missiles, Hamas fired rockets at nearby settlements and two fighters from Palestinian Islamic Jihad were killed after carrying out a raid that claimed the lives of three Israeli troops. The IDF responded with air and artillery strikes, killing three fighters of Hezbollah and wounding several Lebanese civilians.
In response to the Israeli military buildup on the front with Lebanon, Hezbollah called up fighters and placed its forces on high alert, according to a report by Al-Akhbar.
The Lebanese outlet also said that the group was coordinating with Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and even Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The United States, France and other countries have reportedly warned Hezbollah against attacking Israel. Despite this, the group and its Palestinian allies could launch more attacks from southern Lebanon in support of Gaza. Stil, the situation will not likely escalate into a full-blown war.
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