IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin said on Sunday evening that Israeli forces are operating in the Teibine area of southern Lebanon against a major Hezbollah underground installation more than 1 kilometer long. He said dozens of Hezbollah fighters are currently encircled there after fighting that took place both above and below ground. Defrin described the situation as dramatic and said the fighters are under pressure and surrounded.
The IDF believes that the pressure on Hezbollah in Teibine, and in other areas where it is active, is one reason for the recent increase in fire. Defrin said the operation is being driven by operational considerations alone, calling the underground infrastructure there “very heavy.” He added, “What bothers Hezbollah is the takeover in Teibine and in the other areas we are operating in.”
Defrin also addressed the ceasefire in Lebanon, saying the army is acting under political direction and is not retreating. “We are committed to the ceasefire,” he said. “The forces continue to operate according to the instructions of the political echelon. Any threat beyond the yellow line will be dealt with.” Asked whether the IDF was pulling back, he replied, “We are not going back and there is no withdrawal,” and later added, “We are still in the field.”
He said the IDF is operating within the forward defensive zone it defined, where it is permitted to act under the ceasefire maps that were published. Beyond the yellow line, he said, the army is observing the ceasefire except when removing a threat. He added that the IDF continues to strike terrorist infrastructure, including underground assets under houses, and kills militants when encountered. Defrin said the army is present in areas including Beaufort Ridge, Arnoun and Teibine, and stressed that Israel has no goal of conquering Lebanese territory, only defending its residents. He said Beaufort Ridge is especially important because fire was launched from there toward northern Israeli communities, calling it “the nerve center of Hezbollah.”
