One of the IDF's most significant operations in the sector is now underway in the village of Tebnit in southern Lebanon. Several dozen Hezbollah terrorists are holed up in an area where a large underground infrastructure was found, which the military defines as the nerve center of the terrorist organization's Badr Unit. The IDF describes the infrastructure as especially significant, and even unprecedented.
The IDF assessment is that Hezbollah is not turning to Iran by chance, and that the organization's calls to stop IDF activity in the area stem from concern over damage to one of its most significant power centers in southern Lebanon. The military views Tebnit as an area of exceptional importance to Hezbollah, and the operation there as a move targeting a central infrastructure of the organization.
The operation in Tebnit is taking place after one of the most difficult incidents in the sector in recent weeks. On Thursday night into Friday, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, commander of the 52nd Battalion, and three other soldiers were killed when the tank they were traveling in was hit in southern Lebanon. The IDF clarified that this was not an internal malfunction in the tank, but rather an external strike on the vehicle. Hours later, at around 4 a.m., a commando force operating in the Tebnit area was hit by a drone, and five soldiers were wounded, including one seriously.
As for the ceasefire, the IDF says the political echelon instructed the military to halt fire, and that the IDF is committed to the ceasefire. At the same time, the military stresses that the forces continue to operate in the security zone, south of the yellow line published by the IDF last week.
In practice, the IDF says the forces are positioned on the ground along a forward defensive line, and that no operation will be carried out beyond the yellow line, except in cases where threats to the forces must be removed. The military reiterates that the IDF's position is that as long as there is a direct threat to Israelis, the forces must continue operating in the area, unless the political echelon instructs otherwise.
Meanwhile, the IDF is monitoring threats coming from Iran, but for now the military says there has been no change in the situational assessment. This comes against the backdrop of Iranian threats and reports that Tehran is considering further escalation measures if IDF activity in Lebanon continues.
