After public criticism, Israel authorizes fire in Lebanon’s “yellow line” zone

Israel’s political leadership has approved a significant change in rules of engagement in Lebanon, allowing fire inside areas defined as the “yellow line.” The decision came after repeated Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire and a rise in Israeli casualties, according to IDF sources who briefed Channel 14 on Thursday.

The move follows sharp criticism from commanders in the field, who said their hands were tied while Hezbollah fighters operated freely and that a ban on proactive strikes was endangering troops. Senior military officials are expected to clarify the opening-fire procedures for frontline units in the coming hours, with the aim of improving protection for soldiers.

The policy shift was triggered in part by a serious incident in which five soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously, after explosive drones detonated. IDF officers said ongoing restrictions, including a requirement for approval from a general for every operation, left troops exposed. One officer from Unit 551 said a terror compound demolition was delayed because American approval had not been received, a fact that was stated during an operational assessment.

Another senior officer in the central sector said that when facing barriers erected by the Lebanese army, forces were forced to remain “static and exposed,” and that every action depended on a confirmed immediate threat. A senior commander warned, “If we continue advancing without the full fire support we need, the number of casualties will rise.” The new rules are intended to let commanders respond to threats in real time while balancing political limits and battlefield needs.