Fearing Trump May Intervene, IDF Races Against the Clock in Lebanon, Beirut Still Off Limits

The Air Force struck Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, and no decision has yet been made on how to respond to the militant who infiltrated northern Israel. This morning, the IDF continued strikes in southern Lebanon and evacuated additional villages, saying, "The violation of the ceasefire compels us to act with force."

Nir Dvori, Central Edition, published: 10.06.26, 10:10

In brief: The IDF continues to intensify operations in southern Lebanon and launched another wave of strikes this morning. Israel has not yet decided on the nature of its response to the militant who crossed into Israel from Lebanon and was killed. The Chief of Staff said, "The Iranian attempt to set equations will fail, we will continue to deepen the damage." Security officials are calling for a strategic move that will prevent Iran from dictating the reality.

Israel is continuing today, Wednesday, to operate extensively in southern Lebanon, while the city of Beirut remains outside the current range of operations, as reported last night in the central edition. The strikes are taking place under the new balance of deterrence against Iran and Hezbollah, as the security establishment works to destroy as many terror capabilities as possible before the American administration decides to stop the activity.

This morning's strikes come after last night's report on N12 about the unusual incident near the community of Margaliot, in which a militant from Lebanon managed to infiltrate Israeli territory and was killed shortly after opening fire on an IDF force operating in the area. However, Israel has still not decided on the nature of the response.

The Air Force struck targets throughout the past day in Tyre, Sidon, Saluki and south of the Litani River. The strikes focused on the destruction of numerous Hezbollah infrastructure sites.

"The Iranian attempt to set equations and change reality will fail," said the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, who took part yesterday in a large exercise in the north. "The strike we carried out in Iran was preparation for a much more significant and heavier blow. We will continue to deepen the damage to Hezbollah and operate wherever we identify a threat to Israel."

Alongside the strikes, Colonel Avichay Adraee announced this morning an evacuation warning for the villages of Ghassaniyeh, Khomin al-Fouqa and Ansariyeh in southern Lebanon. The evacuation notice to the residents of the villages said, "Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire forces the IDF to act against it with force. The IDF does not intend to harm you."

"For your safety, you must immediately leave your homes in the village and town and move immediately north of the Zahrani River. Anyone found near Hezbollah operatives, its infrastructure or its weapons is endangering their life," he added.

In the security establishment, concern was expressed that Israel is once again being drawn into a system of equations with Iran and Hezbollah. Security officials understand that Iran must not be allowed to dictate reality, and that the political echelon must lead a new strategic move. It appears that a step is needed that combines additional elements beyond military actions, to ensure the IDF's freedom of action and prevent future restrictions.

The IDF is still investigating how the militant managed to approach the border fence and even cross it in an area under continuous security presence and monitoring, while IDF forces continue to operate in southern Lebanon. As noted, the security establishment and the political echelon are expected to address the question of the response to the incident. Israel has previously made clear that it will not ignore fire at northern communities, and the question now is whether an armed infiltration and attempted attack on Israeli soil will lead to a significant response in Lebanon.