Indications have grown that Israel is on the verge of sending ground troops into Lebanon, two weeks into an assault on Hezbollah that culminated in the assassination of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, Reuters reports.

A US official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters that the positioning of Israeli troops suggested a ground incursion could be imminent.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told local council heads in northern Israel that the next phase of fighting along Lebanon’s southern border would begin soon, and support the aim of bringing home Israelis who have fled Hezbollah rockets during nearly a year of exchanges.

He also told troops: “We will use all the means that may be required of your forces, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and on land. Good luck.”

Amal Al-Hourani, mayor of Jdeidet Marjayoun, a Christian-majority Lebanese village less than 10 kilometres from the border, told Reuters that two locals had received calls apparently from the Israeli army telling them to evacuate the area as soon as possible.

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