IDF Strikes Hezbollah in South Lebanon Amid Opposition to Italian Troop Deployment

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday afternoon in response to Hezbollah firing explosive drones at Israeli forces overnight. The strikes targeted villages including Arab Salim and Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, according to Lebanese reports. The IDF confirmed that Hezbollah sent two explosive drones toward Israeli troops operating near the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon's security zone. One drone was shot down, while contact was lost with the second. No Israeli casualties were reported.

The IDF stated it will continue to act strongly against Hezbollah's repeated attempts to attack Israeli forces. Lebanese media reported casualties in Arab Salim and damage in residential areas. Additional Israeli strikes were reported earlier in the week across multiple locations in southern Lebanon, including al-Dabsha, al-Qantara, Sarbin outskirts, and Ali Taher ridge.

Meanwhile, Israel opposes the deployment of an Italian military force to southern Lebanon, which Lebanon's government has requested to oversee pilot areas from which the IDF plans to withdraw and transfer control to the Lebanese army. Israeli defense officials view this as a Lebanese ploy to avoid disarming Hezbollah and fear that international forces would restrict the IDF's operational freedom. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned in a closed meeting that international troops could hinder Israeli operations and increase tensions.

The UN Security Council is currently debating the future of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force, whose mandate expires in November. While UNIFIL is expected to end operations soon, some European countries, including France and Italy, seek to maintain a military presence with a replacement force. Israel and the United States oppose this, insisting that only the Lebanese army should deploy along the border after negotiations with Beirut.

In northern Israel, the city of Kiryat Shmona alerted residents to possible further military activity and explosions due to ongoing IDF operations near the border, though no special instructions were issued.