The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, Aviv Kochavi, stated that "operational plans are ready, and in the next war, the scale of strikes in Lebanon will be of a magnitude not seen before, and the ground invasion will be similarly powerful." In a statement marking the anniversary of the "First Lebanon War," Kochavi noted that "this war is a turning point in the evolution of wars between Israel and Arab countries and terrorist organizations." He added: "Forty years ago, in the face of Palestinian terrorism from Lebanon, which relied on infiltrating Israeli territory and the continuous firing of hundreds of rockets and mortars, with the Lebanese government being unable to act, as is the case today, the Defense Army launched an operation that turned into a war."
He said: "Unlike our enemy, which does not recognize the principles of international law and directs fire at Israeli citizens, we will warn the Lebanese population as necessary, but once we do that, we will use all the strength of the Defense Army in populated and open areas," emphasizing that "despite numerous security challenges, the state of the country is continuously improving."
He added: "Our enemies are in perpetual distress, not to mention the ongoing deterioration in economic, social, and moral aspects, while before their eyes, the State of Israel continues to develop, open up, thrive, and achieve its national goals."
