A senior U.S. official has warned that Iran is preparing to launch an “imminent” ballistic missile attack on Israel, cautioning that there would be “severe consequences” if the strike occurs. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the U.S. is actively supporting Israel’s defensive preparations as tensions escalate in the region.
This development follows Israel’s warning to residents of nearly two dozen Lebanese border communities to evacuate, hours after launching targeted ground operations against Hezbollah.
On September 30, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a limited ground campaign in southern Lebanon aimed at targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.
The IDF described Hezbollah’s presence along the Israel-Lebanon border as an “immediate and real” threat to Israeli communities in the north.
The exact scale of Israel’s ground incursion remains unclear. While smaller IDF incursions have been reported in the past week, there has yet to be confirmation of a large Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah-affiliated media outlets reported Israeli troop concentrations along the border, consistent with other media reports. Hezbollah has claimed several cross-border attacks targeting Israeli forces, including mortar fire near the Israeli border town of Shtula and attacks on Israeli soldiers near Lebanese towns such as Kfar Kila and Addasiya.
The IDF has stated that its ground forces will coordinate with the Israeli Air Force and artillery units to strike military targets during this phase of the conflict. Artillery shelling and illumination rounds were fired over Lebanese border towns on September 30, with the IDF also urging Lebanese residents to evacuate.
In preparation for the ground operation, the IDF declared a closed military zone over northern Israeli towns near the Lebanon border, prohibiting civilian entry. The IDF has been calling up reservist units and deploying forces, including the 98th Division, to the northern front in recent weeks. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited the border on September 30, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to using all available military resources to ensure the safety of its citizens in the north.
Read: Alan Dershowitz: Israel’s Pager Attack Was Legal Under The Laws Of War
Meanwhile, Israeli special forces have reportedly been conducting cross-border raids to gather intelligence, including operations in Hezbollah tunnels. The IDF’s ground operations are expected to continue alongside its ongoing air campaign, aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities and allowing displaced residents to return to their homes.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.