By Melanie Lidman, Tia Goldenberg and Kareem Chehayeb
The Israeli military is preparing for a possible ground operation in Lebanon, the Israeli army chief said Wednesday as Hezbollah hurled dozens of projectiles into Israel, including a missile aimed at Tel Aviv that was the militant group’s deepest strike yet.
Addressing troops on the northern border, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said the latest airstrikes were designed to ”prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah.”
In an apparent reference to the missile fired at Tel Aviv, he told troops: “Today, Hezbollah expanded its range of fire, and later today, they will receive a very strong response. Prepare yourselves.”
It was not clear whether Halevi was referring to a ground operation, airstrikes or some other form of retaliation.
The Israeli military has said in recent days it had no immediate plans for a ground invasion. Halevi’s statement was the strongest yet
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