Israel Widens Rules of Engagement for Forces in Southern Lebanon

Israeli political and military leaders updated the rules of engagement for forces operating in southern Lebanon after public criticism that troops were being overly constrained, according to a report aired Thursday evening. The changes were reportedly decided the previous night in a conversation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and senior IDF commanders.

Under the new instructions, soldiers may open fire to protect forces in the "yellow zone" while moving into a new area where enemy presence is suspected. They are also allowed to use ground fire against suspicious targets during movement, and if a threat is identified, air support can be requested. The report said troops in the yellow zone may fire against an emerging threat, not only when there is an immediate danger.

In areas beyond the yellow line, troops may fire only when there is a clearly identified danger, such as a terrorist cell believed to be preparing a rocket attack. Other threats that are not immediate remain off-limits for now. Another change lowers the approval level for airstrikes, allowing a division commander, rather than a corps commander, to authorize them.

The report also said Israel intends to gradually destroy underground terror infrastructure inside the yellow zone. Senior Israeli officials told Channel 14 that the tunnels will be eliminated even if it takes time because of operational constraints. Regarding the Al-Tahir ridge, where several terror bases are reportedly located underground, Israeli estimates say dozens of militants are trapped there and face only two options, surrender or death.