VFI News The Third Lebanon War Has Already Begun According to Official, Israel Killed Two Hezbollah Leaders

Is Israel about to invade Lebanon? As the conflict with Hezbollah escalates, Israel faces increasing pressure to launch a ground offensive into southern Lebanon.

With over 60,000 Israelis displaced by daily rocket fire and military tensions at an all-time high, the IDF has intensified airstrikes on Hezbollah targets. In this update, we explore the possibility of an Israeli invasion, the effectiveness of air campaigns, and the potential impact on the region.

As diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and France struggle to prevent a larger war, Vision for Israel continues its humanitarian work by providing bomb shelters, firefighting equipment, and emergency response training to protect Israeli citizens.

Stay informed on the latest developments in this ongoing conflict and learn what might happen next.

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A third Lebanon War has already begun in the wake of the significant IDF strikes against Hezbollah deep into Lebanon, a security official estimated on Monday, September 23, in comments to Israeli media.

“I don't think it’s too early to refer to these events in the North as the ‘Third Lebanon War,’” the official said. The official told the news outlet that in the early afternoon, the IDF will launch an attack “on a massive scale” in rural areas of Lebanon.

The source added that Hezbollah’s potential response could be larger in scale and involve a broader range of fire than it has engaged in before. “Hezbollah will certainly respond with large amounts of fire on northern Israel,” added the source, “and possibly also on targets in Tel Aviv.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated as he held security consultations: “I would like to clarify Israel’s policy to whoever does not yet understand. We are not waiting for the threat; we are preempting it – everywhere, in every sector, constantly. We are eliminating senior figures, terrorists, and missiles – and our arm is still extended.”

“I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of forces in the North [by Lebanon]—this is exactly what we are doing. We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets that are directed at Israel’s cities and citizens,” Netanyahu said. (JPost / VFI News)

“Lord, we pray for long-lasting peace with Lebanon. We pray that Lebanon will manage to contain Hezbollah so that a full-blown third Lebanon war does not erupt. We pray for all the civilians who live in agony for their future and we ask that You comfort and protect them Lord, in Yeshua’s name. We thank You for enabling us to defend our people and we fall at Your feet asking You once again for Your help, grace and mercy during these trying times.”

The articles included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Vision for Israel. We try to provide accurate reporting on news pertinent to Israel, the Middle East, the diaspora, and Jewish issues around the world—and we hope that you find it both informative and useful for intercessory prayer.

An airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah leader in a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Thursday afternoon, September 26, the military said, with fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed terror group showing little sign of slowing as an international bid to secure a ceasefire appeared to fall apart.

The strike in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh targeted the head of Hezbollah’s aerial forces, Mohammed Srur, who is largely responsible for the terror group’s drone fleet along with cruise missiles and aerial defenses.

Lebanon’s health ministry said two people were killed in the attack. According to the military, Srur directed and commanded numerous and various aerial attacks on Israel, including explosive-laden drones and cruise missiles.

Meanwhile, another Hezbollah commander, who was overseeing the terrorists’ missile unit was also killed by an Israeli airstrike. Ibrahim Kobeisi, who is accused of coordinating the missile strikes targeting northern Israel, was identified among the six people killed following an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday, IDF and Lebanese officials said.

The IDF said there were other “key commanders” at the apartment complex where Kobeisi was hit, with Lebanon’s ministry of health confirming that at least 15 others were injured in the blast.

At the same time, a Hezbollah official has told British media that the pager and radio explosions last week “put 1,500 fighters out of commission because of their injuries.” Many of those were either blinded or had their hands blown off in the explosions. (TOI / VFI News)

“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” - Ezekiel 18:32

The IDF on Wednesday evening, September 25, published documentation showing the rockets and weapons that had been placed in civilian homes in Lebanon by Hezbollah.

“The Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon is continuing to fire missiles and rockets at civilians across Israel, forcing millions of Israelis into bomb shelters. The weapons used in these attacks - including advanced, strategic missiles and UAVs - have been systematically embedded by Hezbollah inside Lebanese civilian areas and homes over the years,” the IDF said in a statement.

“The IDF is conducting precise, intelligence-based strikes against Hezbollah’s weapons and terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon in order to remove these threats to Israeli civilians and enable the residents of the north to return home in safety and security.”

“In images collected in recent days, remnants of the weapons that Hezbollah had hidden in civilian homes in the heart of Lebanese villages can be seen,” the IDF stated. 

IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing, “So far, over the past three days, we struck more than 2,000 terrorist targets, including the rocket launchers that launched toward Safed, Nahariya, Wadi Ara, and HaAmakim today. In today's strikes, we carried out a wave of strikes on targets belonging to Hezbollah’s Intelligence Directorate at 70 different sites.” (INN / VFI News)

“The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” - Psalm 103:6

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed Israel’s current intensified campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon in an interview with American media on Tuesday, September 24, and said that Hezbollah could not stand alone against Israel.

Asked if Iran would instruct its proxy to restrain its response to Israel’s strikes, Pezeshkian said Hezbollah is facing a country “armed to the teeth and has access to weapons systems that are far superior to anything else.”

He declared that “we must not allow for Lebanon to become another Gaza at the hands of Israel.”

“Hezbollah cannot do that alone. Hezbollah cannot stand alone against a country that is being defended and supported and supplied by Western countries, European countries, and the United States of America.”

The Iranian President threatened: “The danger does exist that the fire of events that are taking place (in Lebanon) will expand to the entire region. This can be dangerous for the future of the world and planet Earth itself, so we must prevent the ongoing criminal acts being committed by Israel.” (INN / VFI News)

“Dear God, we pray for all the surrounding enemies to seek peace with us and end all hostilities towards our nation. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You guide our leaders into negotiating effectively and taking all the steps necessary that will ensure the minimum loss of human lives, according to Your Will.”

Join us on a visit to the northern Galilee to see how your donations are helping protect communities from rocket attacks. Meet the brave and dedicated people standing strong in the face of danger, and understand why organizations like ours are so important. Hear their gratitude and know that your support is like wind in their sails. Together, we look forward to a time of peace in Israel.

The United States and France have called on Israel and Lebanon to accept a 21-day ceasefire to allow for a diplomatic resolution to the cross-border conflict that has threatened to spill over into an all-out war.

“We call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement,” the two countries said. It was endorsed by ten other countries and entities: Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

They called on Israel, the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah, and Lebanon to adhere to a settlement based on the UNSC Resolution 1701 that set out the ceasefire terms for the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

Such a step would necessitate Hezbollah pulling out of the area of southern Lebanon near the Israeli border and moving back to the Litani River. Hezbollah has long violated that resolution.

Meanwhile, IDF spokesperson R. Admiral Daniel Hagari issued a broad public warning for the first time on Monday, September 23, urging civilians in southern Lebanon in areas where Hezbollah has stored rockets or engaged in other activities to evacuate. (JPost / VFI News)

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

The IDF recently brought several bodies of Hamas terrorists who were killed during combat operations in the Gaza Strip to Israel to investigate if one of them was Hamas leader and October 7 massacre mastermind Yahya Sinwar, Israeli media reported.

The test results showed that none of the bodies examined were Sinwar. On Sunday night, September 22, another Israeli news outlet had reported that Israel is examining the possibility that Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar was killed as a result of an IDF airstrike on the Gaza Strip.

According to the report, there is no intelligence supporting such a report, and there is a disagreement between defense officials about whether the October 7th mastermind was again just cut off from his communications or was indeed eliminated.

Earlier on Monday, IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari responded to a question on the rumors of the Hamas leader’s death. “I cannot confirm, and cannot deny” the reports, Hagari stressed. “I do not have information that he is dead.” (INN / VFI News)

The total population living in Israel is a shade under 10 million, the Central Bureau of Statistics said in a report released ahead of the upcoming festival of Rosh Hashanah.

A spokesperson for the CBS told Israeli media on Thursday, September 26, that the population was expected to cross the landmark figure sometime in the coming weeks. Current data puts the total population at around 9,999,000 people.

There are 7.689 million Jews, non-Arab Christians, and other ethnic minorities aside from Muslim Arabs. In addition, there are 2.095 million Muslim Arabs, and another 215,000 foreign nationals whose lives are currently based in the country, according to the CBS figures.

Jews make up 78.6 percent of the total and Arabs 21.4% of the population. The population increased by 118,000 people since last year, or about 1.2%, down from the growth rate in last year’s numbers of 1.6%.

Over the previous 12 months, 183,000 babies were born in Israel, while 55,000 people died. There were also 33,000 new immigrants, compared with 46,000 in 2023. (TOI / VFI News) 

“Our Heavenly Father, we thank You profusely for Your grace and mercy, and allowing our people to be fruitful and multiply even during the war. We are extremely grateful that You grant us perseverance and hope amid the trials. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You continue to help our people prosper and live peacefully among our neighbors in the land You have given us. We also continually pray for our hostages, that You free them as soon as possible, and heal them from their physical and emotional wounds.”

The Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. has opened a new exhibit in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), giving visitors a deeper understanding of the spread of early Christianity in the Holy Land.

Titled “The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith,” the exhibit showcases IAA’s archaeological find, dating back to the third century, on display for the first time since it was found. The mosaic formed part of the floor of the oldest site of Christian worship ever to be discovered, according to officials with the Museum of the Bible (MOTB).

“The mosaic presents groundbreaking physical evidence of the practices and beliefs of early Christians, including the first archaeological instance of the phrase, ‘God Jesus Christ,’” Alegre Savariego, curator of the exhibition on behalf of the IAA, said in the release.

The tiles also illustrate one of the earliest examples of a fish being used as a Christian symbol and the names of several of the church’s patrons.

Further, according to Bobby Duke, MOTB interim chief curator and scholars initiative director, “The mosaic underscores the crucial role of women in the early church by the fact that 5 women are mentioned in it by name.” “Truly, the mosaic presents a wealth of new data for church historians, like the Dead Sea Scrolls did for Bible scholars,” he stated. (FN / VFI News)

Yeshua said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” - John 8:58

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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