IDF Artillery Brigade Defends Israel’s Northern Border Amid Rising Iran Tensions

Amid escalating tensions with Iran that threaten the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, an Israeli news team spent a night with IDF artillery soldiers stationed in southern Lebanon’s new security zone. The unit, part of the Artillery Brigade, operates near the border town of Bint Jbeil, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged in past conflicts. Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Daniel Kroizman described the area as a former terrorist hub now under Israeli operational control, with ongoing threats including underground cells and drones despite the ceasefire.

The soldiers, including female combatants integrated into the unit for over a decade, endure demanding conditions, often firing hundreds of shells overnight to support maneuvering forces. Lt. Col. Kroizman, a father of three who has been away from home since October 7, emphasized the mission’s importance for Israel’s security and the need to maintain a long-term presence in the area. He acknowledged a serious operational failure in March 2026 when an artillery shell mistakenly hit an Israeli village, killing a civilian, and stressed the brigade’s responsibility to prevent future incidents.

The report also highlighted a recent controversy when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the position but excluded female soldiers from the meeting, instructing them to remain confined to separate rooms to avoid contact with an ultra-Orthodox unit. Despite this, the female soldiers expressed pride in their roles and equality within the unit.

The article concluded with Kroizman’s sober assessment that Lebanon will remain a security challenge for Israel for years to come, requiring sustained vigilance and readiness. The soldiers’ dedication and resilience stand in stark contrast to political debates in the Knesset over military exemptions, underscoring the frontline realities of Israel’s northern defense.