Israeli leaders held an emergency security discussion Wednesday evening following a major Hezbollah rocket barrage toward northern Israel, as senior officials warned that the terror group’s actions could lead to a dramatic expansion of Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.

The meeting took place at the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Hezbollah fired approximately 100 rockets at northern Israel as part of an ongoing series of attacks the organization has been carrying out in recent days.

A senior Israeli security official told the Saudi news channel Al-Hadath that the United States could potentially join the large-scale Israeli strikes currently targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley, including the city of Baalbek.

According to the official, Hezbollah’s current course of action is self-destructive. “Hezbollah is destroying itself and Lebanon along with it, and is acting as if it has nothing to lose.”

The official added that Israel’s military operations in Lebanon would not be limited to any single region.

“We will operate throughout Lebanon, from south to north, and all targets are legitimate. The military operation in Lebanon will not stop at the Litani River.”

Another senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News that the direction within the Israel Defense Forces is to significantly expand the military campaign against Hezbollah.

The official said the army is preparing for a wide range of scenarios. “They are not specifying how and whether it will also include ground forces, but preparations are being made for every possibility.”

According to the official, Lebanon’s government has demonstrated that it is unable to restrain Hezbollah’s activities. “The Lebanese state has proven that it is not a factor in restraining Hezbollah. They don’t take them into account.”

The official added that developments over the next day could have a major impact on how the campaign unfolds.

“The coming 24 hours will significantly shape the continuation of the campaign in Lebanon,” he said. “Hezbollah is bringing about its own end with its own hands.”

Meanwhile, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee issued an urgent warning Wednesday evening to residents of the Dahiyeh district in Beirut ahead of an expected wave of Israeli strikes.

“Due to the crimes of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF will soon operate with great intensity against its assets, operatives and weapons,” Adraee wrote.

“For your safety, the IDF urges you to evacuate immediately,” the spokesman added, stressing that residents should not return to the area “until further notice.”

{Matzav.com}