ZeroHedge.com
Update(1544): As many suspected and feared, this deadly two-day Israeli covert operation to blow up Hezbollah pagers, walkie-talkies, and small electronic devices was but preparation for a likely Israeli military ground operation in southern Lebanon. It appears war is here. According to breaking news wires:
Israeli cabinet has given PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant the authorization to undertake military action against Hezbollah — even if it leads to an all-out war.
So far the second day of explosions across Beirut and Lebanon have led to 20 killed and 450 wounded, but the casualty toll could be much higher.
Defense Minister Gallant has also declared a “new phase” of operations against Hezbollah along northern Israel:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF chief Herzi Halevi and other officials all issued statements Wednesday evening which appeared to suggest a full-on war with Hezbollah was brewing, hours after a wave of explosions of walkie-talkies and other communications devices used by Hezbollah members across Lebanon caused widespread casualties, echoing a similar attack a day earlier that targeted Hezbollah-issued pagers.
The IDF also announced Wednesday that it was redeploying its 98th Division to northern Israel, after months of operations in the Gaza Strip under the Southern Command.
Israel has further just ordered an elite brigade to the north:
The Israeli army announced it’s transferring the 98th Division from the Gaza Strip to the northern border with Lebanon as tensions continue to escalate.
With about 10,000-20,000 soldiers, the paratroopers and commandos will now join the 36th Division under the Northern Command.