Netanyahu and Katz Promise Free Rein in Lebanon as Troops Describe Tighter Fire Rules

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have repeatedly insisted in recent days that Israel retains full freedom of action in Lebanon, including against “direct or emerging threats.” Their statements came amid U.S. pressure, Iranian efforts to tie the Lebanese front to broader ceasefire talks, and the creation of an international mechanism to monitor developments in Lebanon without Israel.

But soldiers operating in southern Lebanon told N12 that the reality on the ground looks different. One said they are receiving unclear, sometimes contradictory orders, while another said fire procedures have become “very strict” since the ceasefire. According to the troops, if there is an immediate threat they can still fire, but they are no longer blowing up shafts or using louder munitions, and in one case a discovered shaft was left untouched because it contained no weapons. The soldiers said the goal is to avoid “noise,” diplomatic incidents, and large-scale activity, with one describing the mission as maintaining the situation and force protection at a low profile.

Netanyahu wrote that his instructions to the IDF “have not changed” and that troops in southern Lebanon have “full freedom of action” with “no restriction.” Katz said commanders and soldiers have full backing from him, Netanyahu, and the military leadership, and may act decisively “in southern Lebanon, in the Gaza Strip and anywhere” needed to defend Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump was asked about Netanyahu’s remarks and said, “We’ll look into it,” adding, “I solve problems, solve problems quickly, including Bibi.”

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett accused Netanyahu and Katz of misleading the public. He said he had spoken overnight with soldiers and commanders in or returning from Lebanon, who reported Hezbollah fighters reestablishing positions, repairing infrastructure, arming themselves, and observing IDF troops, while Israeli soldiers were barred from opening fire. Bennett said decisions that once were made by a company commander now require division commander approval, preventing strikes on moving anti-tank missile teams and even halting air force activity. He said wounded soldiers were harmed because no heavy fire cover was authorized during evacuations, calling the situation “abandonment” and demanding the restrictions be lifted immediately.

The dispute comes as the first senior-level round of talks in Switzerland ended, where Qatar and Pakistan announced a mechanism to prevent friction in Lebanon and oversee the ceasefire, without mentioning Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called it “the real first test,” while an Iranian report said Tehran had become part of Lebanon’s security framework. JD Vance said the aim was to create an orderly ceasefire mechanism, and clarified that Israel has no territorial ambitions in southern Lebanon, saying it is there only “to prevent fire.”