IDF Chief Zamir: Hezbollah fight 'has only just begun' — 2,000+ targets struck; ground offensive to deepen

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir approved battle plans at Northern Command and made the following statements, published on Day 23: KEY STATEMENTS: 'Iran is our primary effort, and the northern arena is another central arena. They are interconnected. The Hezbollah terror organization constitutes a central proxy of the Iranian terror regime, and it made a grave mistake when it chose to join the campaign against Israel. This choice harms it and the State of Lebanon as a whole.' CUMULATIVE STATS: 'We have achieved significant accomplishments; we have struck more than 2,000 targets, dozens of weapons depots, and eliminated hundreds of terrorists.' FUTURE OPERATIONS: Military is preparing to 'deepen' ground offensive in southern Lebanon and airstrikes. 'We will not stop until the threat is pushed away from the border and long-term security for the residents of the north is ensured.' END STATE: 'At the end of the campaign in Iran, Hezbollah will be left alone and isolated. This is a prolonged campaign, and we are prepared for it.' SIGNIFICANCE: Zamir's statement formally frames the Lebanon/Hezbollah campaign as a distinct and prolonged conflict that will outlast the Iran war. The 'deepening' ground offensive language, combined with the Litani bridge destruction order, signals Israel is moving from defensive buffer zone operations toward a more aggressive southern Lebanon campaign.