US broadcaster ABC News claimed, citing US officials, that small-scale Israeli ground operations in Lebanon might have already begun.
Small-scale operations or "border movements" in Lebanon with the aim of destroying Lebanese movement Hezbollah's positions right on the border have already begun or will begin soon, the channel said.
The officials told the channel that, apparently, Israel has not yet made a final decision on the ground operation, but is already prepared for it.
According to these officials, the scale of the operation, if it begins, will be limited. The key goal, according to them, will be the return of displaced residents of northern Israel to their homes. However, to achieve this goal, they argue, the elimination of Nasrallah will not be enough.
Furthermore, the United States sees signs of Israel preparing for a military invasion of Lebanon, CNN reported, citing a high-ranking source in the administration of US President Joe Biden and another US official, although the possible timing of such an operation is not indicated.
The US assessment is based on the mobilization of Israeli soldiers and the clearing of territories as part of possible preparations for the launch of a ground offensive, the channel noted.