Five Israeli Soldiers Killed in South Lebanon as Debate Grows Over Rules of Engagement

Five Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon over the weekend, and the article argues that dozens more have been wounded because of what it calls a dangerous policy set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. It says the troops are being asked to operate while their ability to act is being restricted, and that this is eroding trust between soldiers and the political and military leadership.

Katz said today that there is “no restriction on IDF soldiers operating in Lebanon to remove threats.” The article rejects that wording, saying it effectively allows soldiers to defend themselves only once a weapon is already pointed at them. It argues that troops should be able to act to destroy the enemy, not merely to “remove threats,” and says the leadership is forgetting the soldiers are not targets on a shooting range.

According to the article, Netanyahu and Katz decided to tie the hands of thousands of soldiers still serving in a highly dangerous area, while Zamir aligned with them. It quotes the current order as requiring any use of fire that is not for an immediate danger to receive approval from the regional commander. The piece says field commanders are angry and frustrated, and that soldiers are losing confidence in both the political and military echelons as casualties continue.

The article also says that right after Shabbat, amid difficulties in negotiations between the Americans and the Iranians and dissatisfaction from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Netanyahu rushed to say that the ceasefire remained in force throughout Lebanon. It criticizes that statement as a sign of weakness made before all the fallen soldiers had even been publicly named, and says the deterioration in southern Lebanon is continuing.