Israeli forces in southern Lebanon dismantle more Hezbollah sites

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are actively dismantling Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon, focusing on operations to clear out weapons and munitions from areas near the Israeli border. These actions are part of a strategic effort to ensure security and stability for northern Israel, especially critical as the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon enters its second month, with Israel having until the third week of January to complete its mission.

On December 31, the IDF’s 769th Brigade, which oversees the eastern sector of the border, continued its operations to “dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure,” aligning with the agreements set between Israel and Lebanon. This brigade, alongside the 300th Brigade which manages the western sector, both under the 91st Division, has been pivotal in these efforts. The 769th, having previously been on defensive duty, began offensive operations in late September, crossing into Lebanon on October 1, and has since cleared regions up to the Litani River.

Recent activities included joint efforts with the Golani Brigade in the Saluki stream area, a region known for its strategic importance from the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Here, they uncovered a hidden weapons storage with significant quantities of launchers, missiles, and explosives, highlighting the scale of Hezbollah’s armament in civilian areas.

The IDF has been effective in uncovering numerous weapon caches, including Iranian-made rockets and anti-tank missiles, showcasing the depth of Hezbollah’s military capabilities. These findings have been displayed in Israel to demonstrate the threats faced by its citizens. On December 27, Major General Tomer Bar emphasized the urgency of countering Hezbollah’s attempts to rearm, especially through Syrian-Lebanese border crossings.

Moreover, operations by the 226th Brigade near Naqoura revealed Hezbollah’s use of civilian infrastructure like pharmacies for storing weapons, further illustrating the group’s strategy of embedding military assets within civilian environments. Additionally, the discovery and destruction of a 100-meter tunnel near the border by the 300th Brigade underscore the ongoing challenge of preventing Hezbollah from maintaining underground networks.

As these operations continue, Hezbollah has issued warnings about responding to any perceived violations of the ceasefire, with its leadership indicating a commitment to the truce for its stipulated duration. However, the IDF’s actions are seen as necessary to ensure that Hezbollah does not use the ceasefire period to reestablish its military capabilities, thereby safeguarding Israeli communities from future threats.