The article says the IDF’s original plan in southern Lebanon was to seize pockets of territory at varying distances from the Israeli border to prevent direct fire on Israeli communities and stop infiltrations into Israel. Unlike “Operation Northern Arrows,” the army evacuated Lebanese villagers, prevented them from returning, and then moved freely to locate and destroy terror infrastructure. Entire villages were reportedly demolished so the buildings could not be used as anti-tank and sniper positions or as launch points for raids.
In practice, Hezbollah pulled back and the IDF advanced to within about 10 kilometers of the border, reaching Hezbollah’s underground “safe cities,” which were dug with Iranian help and had long served as shelters from Israeli airstrikes. Israeli forces also reached Ras Biada, Beaufort, and the Ali Taher ridge, and were heading toward the Nabatieh area to continue destroying terror assets. The concept had been to hold along a “yellow line” and build a chain of outposts protecting Israel from inside Lebanese territory.
That plan changed because Hezbollah kept attacking with explosive drones, UAVs carrying explosives, rockets, and mortars, forcing the IDF to maneuver deeper and reach the Saluki and Litani areas. The article says military expectations from the political echelon remained a diplomatic process with the Lebanese government, aimed at a long-term ceasefire, the disarmament of south Lebanon, and ultimately the dismantling of Hezbollah.
Instead, while Israel was negotiating with Beirut, the United States moved toward a memorandum of understanding with Iran that reportedly demanded Hezbollah be included in the ceasefire arrangement. According to the article, this led the IDF to avoid strikes in Beirut’s Dahieh district, Hezbollah’s main center of bunkers, underground facilities, headquarters, command rooms, and safe apartments, giving Beirut immunity from Israeli attacks. The army is still securing the yellow line, blocking infiltrations and civilian movement southward, searching wide areas for terror infrastructure, and opening fire when it identifies immediate threats. The article says no political breakthrough is visible, and even after the IDF clears the area around the yellow line, it is unclear whether it will push deeper again, how it will respond if Hezbollah violates the ceasefire with drone attacks, or what the government’s strategy actually is.
