Israeli army under fire over Lebanon ground assault as Hezbollah regains strength

JERUSALEM

Israeli military officials have criticized the ongoing ground operation in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah regains strength and continues to fire rockets into Israel, Israeli media said on Wednesday.

Hezbollah began to recover and "is launching anti-tank rockets at Israeli soldiers from Lebanese villages where the Israeli army has withdrawn,” the Israeli news website Walla said, citing unnamed sources within the Northern Military Command.

According to the outlet, military officials in the Northern Command called on army forces to maintain their control of villages they have captured in southern Lebanon.

"Securing the lines is not an occupation or a security zone,” an official said on condition of anonymity.

“We have to destroy hostile infrastructure, kill militants, and stop attacks to complete our defined missions,” he added.

The source called on the army command “to stabilize the lines we are on, and work to reduce anti-tank rocket attacks."

On Tuesday, Hezbollah said that it had documented the death of over 110 Israeli soldiers and injuries to more than 1,050 others since Israel launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

The Wall news agency, citing sources, reported “significant tension” between the Galilee Division, the Northern Command, and the army’s General Staff over the ground operation in southern Lebanon.

The sources attributed the tension to "the refusal to transfer military equipment deeper into Lebanese territory because the General Staff is focused on negotiations."

The US, Israel’s closest ally, has been mediating between Lebanon and Israel to reach a cease-fire deal between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah.

Israel has been engaged in cross-border warfare with Lebanon, launching an air campaign against what it claims are targets of the Hezbollah group in late September.

More than 3,540 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with over 15,000 injured and more than a million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala