Source tells The Wall Street Journal Hezbollah now holds 11,000 to 13,000 rockets and missiles, a sharp drop from estimates just a few years ago. The source added the figure is about one-sixth of its stockpile before the October 7 massacre.
The IDF has detected heightened Hezbollah deployment and is preparing for large-scale rocket fire toward the north and center of Israel on Tuesday night, with local officials urging residents to stay near shelters.
Division 91 troops are dismantling terror infrastructure to create a security buffer for communities along the northern border.
The president approved the ground incursion as early as last week and also authorized expanding it if necessary. Israeli officials threatened to seize Lebanese territory in response to heavy Hezbollah rocket barrages.
Hezbollah stepped up its rocket fire on northern Israel in an apparent attempt to divert attention from Iran and gain leverage ahead of renewed ceasefire negotiations, Israeli political officials said, as Jerusalem warned it could respond by seizing territory in southern Lebanon.
While residents of southern Lebanon have been pushed north of the Litani River, the reality on the ground is far from decisive. The proposed solution: a broad deployment across the area so Hezbollah cannot control key points.
Sgt. 1st Class Maher Khater of Majdal Shams and Staff Sgt. Or Damari of Liman were killed when unknown missiles hit troops evacuating a disabled vehicle from a southern Lebanon outpost; a combat officer was lightly wounded as airstrikes followed.
Home Front Command warns rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon are set to increase, even as the Iranian front shows signs of tapering off.
Israeli officials are rejecting a statement by the Lebanese army claiming that the “objectives of the first phase” have been achieved, stressing that at this stage Israel is acting in accordance with US guidelines.
As the Lebanese Armed Forces declare southern Lebanon free of Hezbollah weapons, Israeli officials are preparing a counter-move designed to expose what they call a false presentation. With the IDF already primed for strikes against Hezbollah targets, Jerusalem is now maneuvering to secure international legitimacy before giving the order to launch.
