Israeli Russian-language internet news site, 9tv, on February 9, 2024, published the article with the above title. The article was written by Borislav Protchenko, a journalist and editor for 9tv. A primary source for the article was Major General Ori Gordin, the chief of Israel’s Northern Command.

Protchenko’s article follows [translated by LOC]:

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are continuing preparations to expand military actions and transition to the offensive in the north of the State of Israel in the region of the border with Lebanon. The chief of the Northern Command, IDF Major General Ori Gordin, announced this at a meeting with the mayors and heads of local councils of evacuated communities.

“Our goal is to change the security situation in the north in such a way that we can provide a safe return home for local residents. We are fully determined to change the reality in the area of security and we are continuing to prepare to expand the war and to go over to the offensive, this is our mission,” Gordin said.

As is known, an explosive tension persists on Israel’s northern border with regular shelling conducted from Lebanese territory, while the IDF responds with artillery fire on Hezbollah targets. More than 80 thousand Israelis have been evacuated from the border regions.

“We will continue to conduct defensive battles and strike Hezbollah targets,” Gordin assured the public.

“The residents of the north are our main stimulus for continuing, they are the foundation of our military achievements,” he concluded.

As was reported earlier, late in the evening of the day before, an air raid signal went off in the populated areas and military units on the Lebanese border. According to IDF data, approximately 30 missiles were launched from Lebanon on the Upper Galilee. According to the information of organizations, specializing in tracking military actions, the shelling had been aimed at the radar base on Mount Meron, which already was being targeted by Hezbollah, as was “yet another IDF target.”

Major General Ori Gordin (אורי גורדין) ,Israeli Defense Forces, Commander of Israel’s Northern Command. (Wikipedia)