Israel mobilizes 100,000 reservists as it signals broader offensive beyond Iran

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Israel has begun mobilizing 100,000 reservists as it prepares to expand its ongoing offensive beyond Iran and Lebanon, Israeli media said Monday.

Military intelligence units have launched a reserve call-up as part of preparations for “additional theaters of operation and an expansion of the war,” the Walla news website said.

The Israeli army said Sunday it was preparing to absorb about 100,000 reservists who had been called up to reinforce all sectors under its “Operation Roaring Lion,” the code-name of its ongoing offensive against Iran.

The military early Monday said that it has launched an “offensive battle” against the Lebanese group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs and areas in southern Lebanon, killing 31 people and wounding 149, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

Hezbollah said early Monday morning that it had fired missiles and drones at an Israeli military site in response to the near-daily attacks by Tel Aviv on Lebanon and the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Since Saturday morning, Israel and the United States have waged attacks against Iran that have killed hundreds of people, including Khamenei and top officials.

Tehran has responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel and US bases and interests in several Gulf countries.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear and missile programs that threaten Israel and US allies in the region. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that it does not seek to produce nuclear weapons.

*Writing by Lina Altawell