Shortly beforehand, Defense Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel had no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort or the security zone in Lebanon. Katz: "It is vital for defending the communities of the Galilee and IDF troops."
Fifty Iranian drones were found in a massive tunnel in the Shiite village of Majdal Zoun, considered one of the terrorist organization’s most important and secret strongholds. For days, troops from the Yahalom combat engineering unit worked to locate it, eventually finding it near homes, a school and a mosque. The tunnel, which was blocked in an Israeli Air Force strike in 2024, is believed to have been part of Hezbollah’s drone network.
After completing the operation on the Ali Taher ridge and destroying the underground infrastructure, the IDF may recommend to Israel's political leadership to reposition forces along better defensive lines on the yellow line. Israel is making clear that it has no intention of withdrawing from southern Lebanon at this stage, except as part of the talks in Washington and subject to three minimum conditions.
A source close to the White House believes an American demand for the Israel Defense Forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon is only a matter of time. Netanyahu's circle is also preparing for a diktat from Washington, but the prime minister has made clear that leaving the security zone is a "red line." Jerusalem acknowledges the situation with the Americans is "definitely challenging."
Israel Hayom has learned that heavy Iranian pressure to save Hezbollah’s underground complex on the Ali Taher ridge led to the “ceasefire” announced earlier. IDF official: “This is unprecedented infrastructure.”
One of the Israel Defense Forces' most significant operations in southern Lebanon is underway in the village of Tebnit, against several dozen Hezbollah terrorists holed up in an underground compound belonging to the Badr Unit. The military describes the infrastructure found there as the unit’s “nerve center” and exceptional in scope. The IDF believes Hezbollah’s pressure to halt the operation stems from concern over a strike on one of its main power centers.
Amid criticism from Trump and talks with Iran, IDF soldiers and commanders say their room for maneuver has been reduced: "The army is deep inside Lebanon, and we are exposed."
An explosive drone first hit near a Givati Brigade tank, then a second struck the evacuation vehicle – leaving one soldier in serious condition as the IDF responded with artillery.
According to a Saudi report, the Iran-US agreement includes timetables for an Israeli withdrawal and an end to the security deployment in southern Lebanon. Jerusalem has yet to respond to the matter.
IDF strikes Hezbollah targets in Dahiyeh district in response to fire at Israel. Jerusalem seeks to preserve its freedom of action in Lebanon even if a memorandum of understandings is signed between Washington and Tehran. Lebanese officials believe an agreement with Iran could advance a ceasefire, but Israel is signaling that fire at its territory will be met even in the heart of Beirut.
