Defense Minister Amir Peretz instructed the IDF on Thursday to prepare for the next phase of the war in Lebanon with the objective of seizing control of the area ranging from the international border to the Litani River in a bid to stifle Hizbullah’s short-range rocket capabilities.
The IDF is planning to deepen its control in southern Lebanon in order to reach rocket launch zones.
Ground Forces Commander Major General Benny Gantz said Thursday evening during a press briefing at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv that ground forces are being increased. "We are approaching the rocket launch zones. We'll operate there with added force in order to minimize strikes as we experienced this afternoon," he said.
Gantz also called on civilians to operate in accordance with directions by the Home Front command.
Northern Home Front Command spokesman Major Zvika Golan told reporters that the IDF is planning to widen the security strip and to clear demilitarized zones 15 kilometers into Lebanon.
He added that the missions will require the entrance of two more reserve divisions into Lebanon, which needs government approval.
Golan added that IDF forces already control around 20 villages in southern Lebanon. He was quoted by the Reuters news agency.
Gantz confirmed hostages from Hizbullah: "We have a number of terrorists in our hands; we don't want to get into details. They were not only killed, some were captured. We will interrogate them, and continue the fighting. We will continue the fighting across southern Lebanon and across the depth of Lebanon in varying degrees out of an ongoing attempt to strike terrorists, and widen our achievements. We'll continue to operate there, to strike arms caches, to hit command posts, and strike rocket launchers. As difficult as today will be, and as painful, we must not forget the goals obtained by our fighting units."