A state of confusion prevails within the Israeli military establishment in light of the ambiguity of the field and political scene related to the operations in southern Lebanon, while the army is waiting for new directives from the political level that will determine the course of the next stage.
According to a report by journalist Avi Ashkenazi, in the Israeli newspaper “Maariv”, an Israeli military official confirmed that as of Monday afternoon, the leadership of the Israeli army and security services still lacked a clear vision regarding the next direction of operations in Lebanon.
The official said: “We continue to work in the Yellow Line area, and carry out combing operations and raids in the villages adjacent to the line, but we do not know where we are heading. We are preparing plans for all scenarios, whether continuing and expanding the fighting, staying in the current locations, or withdrawing the forces to the rear. We are awaiting instructions from the higher levels, and until they are issued we continue to work according to the current tasks.”
The report indicated that two Israeli military divisions, the 91st Division and the 36th Division, continue their activity inside Lebanese territory. Sources in the two divisions were quoted as saying that the pace of fighting had decreased significantly since the morning hours, while Hezbollah refrained from carrying out shooting operations towards Israeli forces or using attack drones.
The sources added: “We are working according to the plans that were approved to us in advance a few days ago. We have conducted assessments of the situation within the division and so far we have not received any orders to modify tasks.”
In the same context, Israeli military sources reported that the Israeli Air Force had not carried out any raids in Lebanon since the last hours of the night, while an official in the Northern Command explained that the artillery force had carried out artillery bombardments during the day for operational reasons.
The report stated that the Israeli army and security establishment are awaiting decisions from the political level, amid estimates that military operations in the Yellow Line area are likely to continue. He also pointed out the possibility of issuing directives to the army to impose a cordon on the city of Nabatieh, where the 36th Division is active in its vicinity, noting that the residents of the city, which is described as the spiritual, cultural and political center of the Shiite community in Lebanon, have in recent days received calls to evacuate, while Israeli forces have carried out operations in a number of villages surrounding it.
This scene reflects the extent of the uncertainty that dominates the Israeli military decision in Lebanon, at a time when the field is awaiting what the calculations of the political leadership will lead to during the next stage.
