Israel-Hezbollah latest: Israeli forces ‘conducting Lebanon raids’ ahead of possible full ground invasion

Israeli special forces are said to be conducting small-group raids into southern Lebanon to gather intelligence on Hezbollah positions, with Israel ’s defence minister hinting at a ground invasion .

Yoav Gallant was quoted by Iasraeli media as telling armoured corps troops near the Lebanon border: “ To return the resident of the north safely to their homes we will activate all our capabilities - including you.”

"We will use all the forces from the air, sea and land," he added.

It comes as the deputy leader of Hezbollah vowed to be ready for an Israeli invasion.

In his first speech since Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah over the weekend, the group’s deputy chief Naim Qassem said he was confident Hezbollah could push Israeliforces back like during the war in 2006.

“We are confident the Israeli enemy will not achieve its aims,” Qassem said. “We will confront any possibility and are ready if Israel decides to enter by land.”

Israel intensified its airstrikes on Monday, hitting central Beirut for the first time since 2006, while also killing Hamas’s leader in Lebanon in the southern city of Tyre.