GAZA JUST A START

Build-up on border with Lebanon as tensions rise

- CHRIS HUGHES

NORTHERN Israel is bracing for a bloody attack by Hezbollah amid fears the Hamas massacre launched from Gaza was just the start.

We saw a massive troop build-up close to the flashpoint northern border with Lebanon and were warned Hezbollah's death squads will come.

The entire frontier is desperately tense, with 5000 Hezbollah commandos believed to be ready to attack.

A further 50,000 Hezbollah reservists are believed to be poised to join an assault across this beautiful valley.

Everybody we met saw the horrific October 7 Hamas massacres of innocent Israelis as a grisly prelude to a bigger, more evil Iran-backed plot.

We saw a squadron of Israeli Merkava battle tanks secreted in a bushy area by the side of the road as we headed north.

These armoured vehicles were parked up, with the troops chatting away, reading books and resting as all soldiers do when they can before a major battle.

After we agreed not to identify their faces or location in the north, their commanding officer allowed us to photograph and interview the troops.

One told me passionately: "I am happy and proud to be fighting for Israel. What happened down south is dreadful - the whole world knows the truth about that and we don't know what will come next.