Lebanese army withdraws from bases on border with Israel ahead of imminent invasion

The Lebanese Armed Forces have withdrawn from bases on the southern border with Israel ahead of an imminent Israeli invasion, security sources told Al Arabiya English on Monday.

The Israeli military declared a military zone in parts of its northern border with Lebanon on Monday ahead of possible ground operations in the neighboring country.

“The areas of Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi in northern Israel have been declared a closed military zone. Entry to this area is prohibited,” the military said in a statement.

The US has observed changes in Israel’s military posture along the border with Lebanon, officials told Al Arabiya English over the weekend, hours after Hezbollah announced its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

On Monday, US officials said Israel appeared ready to launch an invasion but did not know the exact details of the plans. Washington has been publicly and privately discouraging the Israelis from any military campaign that involved an incursion or invasion. But as has been the case since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the Biden administration appears to have been rebuffed once again.