JERUSALEM, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The Israeli military launched its most widespread wave of air strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah, simultaneously targeting Lebanon's south, eastern Bekaa valley and northern region near Syria in nearly a year of conflict.
Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon, Daniel Hagari said "we will do whatever is needed" in order to return evacuated residents of northern Israel to their homes safely, a war priority for the Israeli government.

The latest attacks came amid some of the heaviest cross-border exchanges of fire in a conflict raging alongside the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Hagari called on residents of south Lebanon to keep away from Hezbollah posts.
Hagari said that Hezbollah over the years has stashed weapons, including cruise missiles, in houses and buildings throughout southern Lebanon, and called on residents to stay away from these sites.

Hagari presented in a media briefing an aerial video of what he described as Hezbollah operatives trying to launch cruise missiles from a civilian house in Lebanon, and the subsequent Israeli strike moments before it was launched.
"Hezbollah is endangering you. Endangering you and your families," Hagari said.
He said Israel began striking Hezbollah posts in Lebanon after identifying an intention to fire on Israel.

Israeli warplanes carried out an intense wave of air strikes on towns along Lebanon’s southern border and even further north on Reuters reporters in the southern port city of Tyre could hear warplanes flying low over southern Lebanon and hear a series of air strikes nearby.
Hezbollah's al-Manar television reported Israeli airstrikes targeting the outskirts of many towns and villages in the south and the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon.

In addition to striking the Bekaa Valley region of eastern Lebanon, warplanes also carried out airstrikes on the Hermel area in northern Lebanon, Hezbollah's al-Manar reported.
Hezbollah and Israel exchanged heavy fire into Sunday, as the Lebanese militant group sent rockets deep into northern Israeli territory after facing intense bombardment.
Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem told mourners at the funeral of one of the group's commanders killed last week in Beirut: "We have entered a new phase, the title of which is the open-ended battle of reckoning."

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said operations would continue until it was safe for evacuated people on his side of the border to return - also setting the stage for a long conflict as Iran-backed Hezbollah has vowed to fight on until a ceasefire in the parallel Gaza war.
The conflict - which has escalated sharply in the past week - has raged since Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel, saying it was acting in support of Palestinians facing an Israeli offensive further south in Gaza.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members exploded. The attack was widely blamed on Israel, which has not confirmed or denied responsibility.

madridguy:

Botragelad:

Speechless. Smiling isn't going to save hezbollah here.

Don't dare come crying to us about civilian casualties after cheerleading Hezbollah's attacks on Israel! You can't have it both ways, backing terrorists and then playing the victim when consequences follow.

madridguy:
What suits Hezbollah best now is to keep the north of Israel empty, the Israelis squeezed into the south in Haifa and Tel Aviv.

To keep them in shelters and bunkers, to not be able to work normally, to not be able to move the economy normally.

Botragelad:

Carry on, then! While Israel dismantles Hezbollah piece by piece. Remember how Israel crippled their communication networks with the pager and walkie-talkie sabotage? And then took out your top commanders?

Hezbollah's still reeling from that devastating blow!😂

madridguy:
What suits Hezbollah best now is to keep the north of Israel empty, the Israelis squeezed into the south in Haifa and Tel Aviv.

To keep them in shelters and bunkers, to not be able to work normally, to not be able to move the economy normally.

Ramat David airbase and airport pictures after yesterday attack.

madridguy:
You are bringing this morning attack to console yourself about what hit you yesterday. The Hezbullah are doing great work. I want Israel to return back their people to the Northern part and let see first.

I told you weeks ago that the era of IRON DOME is gone you didn't believe me. Now, it is battle to finish. Let see who will fold.

Botragelad:

What hit Israel yesterday, tell us? Killing of cattles and striking open areas with no single casualties. Terrorist supporters are a funny bunch! 😂😂😂😂

madridguy:
You are bringing this morning attack to console yourself about what hit you yesterday. The Hezbullah are doing great work. I want Israel to return back their people to the Northern part and let see first.

I told you weeks ago that the era of IRON DOME is gone you didn't believe me. Now, it is battle to finish. Let see who will fold.

madridguy:
Hahaha, Hizbullah are not a terrorist group like your diapers children killing thugs. They face who they are fighting and not the children.

You can continue to hide your casualties, with time you will be honest to yourself.

madridguy:
Hahaha, Hizbullah are not a terrorist group like your diapers children killing thugs. They face who they are fighting and not the children.

You can continue to hide your casualties, with time you will be honest to yourself.

Botragelad:

Bring it on! I'll provide evidence of Hezbollah's casualties, pager attack, walkie-talkie sabotage, and Ibrahim's elimination. Now, I challenge you to produce proof of significant Israeli casualties or high-ranking officials taken out by Hezbollah recently.
Hezbollah face who that want you say, yet they cowardly slaughtered 12 innocent Druze children on a football pitch.

You just posted a photo of Danny yatom, an Israeli man and labelled him to be dead meanwhile he's alive. No source on your end, nothing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Yatom
Terrorist apologists will stop at nothing to peddle their lies.
😂😂😂😂

madridguy:
Stop bringing back the Druze children back here. You know the truth you are just hiding from it. Your IDF can continue to hide their loses I don't care. The people suffering from their madness are protesting everyday, I know someday they will reach Santanyahu office and drag him on the street.

madridguy:
What suits Hezbollah best now is to keep the north of Israel empty, the Israelis squeezed into the south in Haifa and Tel Aviv.

To keep them in shelters and bunkers, to not be able to work normally, to not be able to move the economy normally.

Ramat David airbase and airport pictures after yesterday attack.

Botragelad:

Speechless. Smiling isn't going to save hezbollah here.

Don't dare come crying to us about civilian casualties after cheerleading Hezbollah's attacks on Israel! You can't have it both ways, backing terrorists and then playing the victim when consequences follow.

Iykopee:
They should continue fighting for all I care. The bad governance in Nigeria is a enough to make a man feel indifferent about the calamities befalling others.