Israel’s military is maintaining peak alert even as talks reportedly advance on a long-term ceasefire with Iran and possible effects on Lebanon. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered the army, especially the air force and air-defense network, to be ready to shift immediately from routine to full operational readiness, with the ability to move from “zero to 100” on very short notice, according to a report Thursday by Amir Bohbot in Walla.
The order focuses on pilots across air force squadrons and on air-defense units. The main scenarios the army is preparing for are a strike inside Iran and a rapid return to heavy fighting in Lebanon against Hezbollah, on the assumption that the current calm may be temporary.
At the same time, the presence of U.S. forces in Israel remains substantial and unchanged. Security officials said there is no known intention to reduce American forces soon. Thousands of U.S. soldiers are still in Israel as part of the broader campaign against Iran, operating advanced air-defense systems and maintaining numerous aircraft deployed in the region.
Another sensitive issue is Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli and American officials are in professional talks aimed at restoring the airport to full normal operations, including by moving a U.S. tanker aircraft fleet to other military bases. Senior Israeli officials say the original U.S. decision to place the tanker fleet at Ben Gurion severely disrupted civilian aviation, causing congestion and schedule changes.
A senior military source said the situation remains fragile and that no one can guarantee the emerging diplomatic process will not collapse at the last minute, forcing Israel to respond quickly and forcefully. The article also noted recent reports of a tense conversation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, in which Trump tried to restrain Israel’s response to Iranian attacks, while Netanyahu said Israel would not accept a formula that only allows a response if there are casualties. Zamir recently toured IDF positions in Lebanon and said, “There is no place that will serve as a fortress for Hezbollah, and no place where it will have immunity.”
