Israel facing all-out as 18 die in strikes

ISRAEL is preparing for all-out war with Hezbollah, as border skirmishes look set to escalate dramatically in the coming months.

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While the world's attention has been focused on Gaza, militants have fired thousands of rockets from southern Lebanon since October 7 including 100 on a single day.

At least 11 Israeli soldiers and seven civilians have been killed. Some 70,000 residents in the north have evacuated their homes.

The Israel Defence Forces are readying troops for a possible offensive to push the terrorist group back to Lebanon's Litani River.

Under a deal following the 2006 war, the area between the river and the border should remain free from any armed personnel, assets and weapons except for those of the government of Lebanon and UN peacekeepers.

But Israel's diaspora minister Amichai Chikli said: "I don't think Hezbollah is going to voluntarily evacuate the region south of the Litani.

"Therefore, as a society, militarily, we must be well prepared for the next move.

"The IDF is preparing itself for the next stage because we must secure our borders and push back Hezbollah militias." The Sunday Express was briefed on the situation close to the 30ft-high concrete wall marking the IsraelLebanon border. Lt Col Dotan

Razili, of the IDF's Bar'am brigade, said the Litani was a natural border that Hezbollah must withdraw to.

He added: "We're on the way to making that happen. Hezbollah has taken 250 casualties. They are paying a price and they will keep on paying a price.