Israel sends its most powerful division to fight in Lebanon

Israel has mobilized the 36th Division of the army, which had been stationed along the border towards Lebanon. This Wednesday, it urged residents of two dozen towns to evacuate their homes. Hundreds of armored vehicles, tanks, and bulldozers are heading towards the neighboring territory to join the 39th Division, which was deployed on Monday night to start "limited, localized, and specific incursions" aimed at destroying Hezbollah's infrastructure.

The 36th Division, popularly known as Ga'ash (Rage in its Spanish translation), has spent the last few hours exercising while waiting to go into action. It is the most powerful armored and infantry contingent in the entire army, confirming Netanyahu's government's determination to eliminate all bases and rocket launch platforms of the Shiite militia that could threaten the security of the Hebrew state. It is a long-standing battalion, founded in 1956 and veteran of both the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War. It moves towards southern Lebanon under artillery and air force cover, which have been heavily bombing militia positions since early morning.

Nevertheless, Hezbollah's response was immediate. Since dawn, the militia has fired a hundred rockets towards northern Israel. Several have hit the city of Metula, almost entirely evacuated, where a dozen buildings have been destroyed. Alarm sirens continue to sound in towns in Upper and Western Galilee.

The Defense Forces seem determined to isolate southern Lebanese territories based on their latest message to civilians: "Attention, do not move south. Any movement south could endanger your life." Tens of thousands of people are moving away from the war zone, and the UN has called for accelerated international aid to set up camps and provide humanitarian supplies to new displaced persons. The scheme is very similar to that used by the Defense Forces in the Gaza occupation.

The new military movement comes just twelve hours after Iran launched 180 long-range missiles against the Hebrew state. The attack was neutralized by Israel's anti-aircraft shield, causing minimal damage and two minor injuries but undoubtedly raising the risk of a total escalation in the region. Citizens are still in shock after spending three harrowing hours locked in tunnels, shelters, and other bunkers on Tuesday afternoon.

The operation in Lebanon continues under this new front opened with the Islamist regime. While awaiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promised severe response, opposition leader Yair Lapid has demanded a "harsh" reply because "one thing must be clear to our enemies: Israel will emerge victorious," he said in a statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi explained that regime authorities have warned the United States "to stay out of this matter and not intervene." The UN Security Council is addressing today the worsening tensions in the region.