Israel reinforces military presence in Lebanon, vows Iran will ‘pay’ for missile attack
Iran and Israel swap threats following missile barrage, raising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East
03:45
Iran launches missile attack on Israel, Netanyahu vows retribution
The Israeli military said on Wednesday that regular infantry and armoured units were joining its ground operations in Lebanon, stepping up pressure on foe Hezbollah, as it prepared to retaliate against Iranian missile strikes.
Already battling Hamas in Gaza, Israel is strengthening its presence in south Lebanon in its conflict with Hezbollah a day after it was attacked by Iran, raising fears the oil-producing Middle East could be engulfed in a wider conflict.
An Israeli team commander was killed in Lebanon, the Israeli military said. A Lebanese soldier was injured in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army said in a statement.
Iran said on Wednesday the attack – its biggest assault on Israel – was over barring further provocation, but Israel and the United States promised to hit back.
The violence continued on the Israeli-Lebanese border on Wednesday.
Israel’s addition of infantry and armoured troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armoured Brigade and 6th Infantry Brigade, suggests that the operation may move beyond limited commando raids.