Israeli security officials believe that, later on, some areas in southern Lebanon could be handed over to the Lebanese Army. For now, however, clashes and offensive operations against militants are continuing on the ground. Over the past day, political leaders and the IDF held talks about how forces should be deployed in southern Lebanon, and the army is expected to present a plan for keeping troops in place at positions meant to protect northern Israeli residents and soldiers.
Northern Command has mapped the terrain and identified points that provide observation and fire control over areas in southern Lebanon. In the security establishment, officials think a pilot arrangement could be advanced during negotiations with the Lebanese government, allowing selected territories to move under Lebanese Army control. Among troops operating deep in southern Lebanon, there is a sense that the main phase of the advance has run its course and the operational focus is shifting.
The area, though, remains active. Soldiers from the 36th Division are positioned at key points on the Ali al-Taher ridge and are operating mainly from fortified positions to eliminate threats. Earlier on Monday, they spotted an armed militant cell near them in the security zone on the ridge, struck it from north of the security perimeter, and removed the threat. In a separate incident on the same ridge, troops identified four militants on a bulldozer and a motorcycle who crossed into the protected area and approached the forces in what was defined as an immediate threat.
The IDF said initial warning fire was used, but when the suspects kept advancing and ignored calls, precise fire was directed at them and hits were identified. The military said the use of civilian engineering equipment is further evidence that Hezbollah uses Lebanese civilians and civilian infrastructure as cover for its activities. A soldier in the sector said, “Right now there are not many attacks forward, but within my sector the instruction is clear: anyone who identifies a threat opens fire. There is no question here.”
Underground infrastructure remains a live issue as well. Work on tunnels in the Ali al-Taher ridge area has been temporarily frozen because of operational sensitivities, while special units including Yahalom and commando forces continue working in the field to assess the situation and decide how to proceed. In one tunnel in the Tevnit area, militants are still trapped.
