IDF Artillery Brigade Stands Guard in Southern Lebanon Amid Rising Iran Tensions

As tensions with Iran escalate, threatening the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, an Israeli news team spent a night with the soldiers and female fighters stationed at a new security zone in southern Lebanon. The unit, part of the IDF's artillery brigade, operates near the border town of Bint Jbeil, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged in past conflicts. Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Daniel Kroizman, 39, described the area as still dangerous, with underground enemy cells and drone threats despite the ceasefire.

The soldiers, including women who serve in combat roles, have been deployed for about two months, enduring frequent nighttime shelling to support maneuvering forces. Lt. Col. Kroizman emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining a forward line to prevent renewed threats to northern Israel. The unit operates advanced defensive networks against drones and artillery, with women playing key roles in command and fire control, though not in heavy ammunition handling due to physical demands.

The article 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 isolated to avoid contact with soldiers from a religious unit. Despite this, the women soldiers expressed full integration and equality within their units.

The brigade commander acknowledged a serious operational mishap in March 2026, when an artillery shell mistakenly hit an Israeli village, killing a civilian. He took full responsibility and stressed the need to prevent such incidents. Kroizman, who has been away from his family since the October 7 conflict began, underscored the personal sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

Looking ahead, the IDF plans to maintain its presence in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary, building a lasting security zone. Kroizman noted that Lebanon will continue to pose security challenges for Israel, sometimes at lower intensities. The article concluded by contrasting the soldiers’ dedication on the ground with political debates in the Knesset over military exemptions, underscoring the commitment of those defending Israel’s borders.