Israel assesses: Hezbollah and Hamas are increasing friction in coordination with Iran
Terrorist organizations in the north and south are testing Israeli endurance, receiving instructions from Tehran. According to a security source, Israel's freedom of response is limited by American pressure amid ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
The IDF has identified an increase in friction between Hezbollah and Israeli forces around the Ali-Taher ridge, as well as between IDF soldiers and Hamas operatives along the 'yellow line'. The IDF assesses that Hamas is coordinating its activities with Hezbollah, with Iranian assistance, to rebuild an 'axis of evil' aimed at increasing pressure on Israel.
According to a military source, a 'war of wits' is underway around the Ali-Taher ridge between the Northern Command and Hezbollah. The organization attempts to track IDF movements and strike in 'gray areas,' as seen on Saturday morning when a fiber-optic drone attack wounded three soldiers from the Yahalom unit operating with the Commando Brigade.
Simultaneously, Hezbollah is attempting to resupply forces trapped in underground networks. The IDF is working to locate and destroy this infrastructure.
'Whoever comes out of the underground and surrenders will be transferred for interrogation in Israel, and whoever remains in the underground will either die or we will kill him,' stated a senior military source.
Northern Command is conducting complex intelligence operations to locate hidden supply routes and drone activity. 'We are blocking access to the area where they are located. They will not be able to hold out forever,' the source said, noting that operatives are emerging from tunnels in search of food. 'Whoever is more determined will win. You need a lot of patience,' he added.
In response, the IDF conducted strikes in the Nabatieh area and within territory under its operational control. Beirut and senior Shiite officials hiding there remained immune from strikes due to American demands.
Meanwhile, an IDF tank hit an explosive device in the southern Gaza Strip, which the IDF believes was planted recently. Although Southern Command views this as an escalation along the 'yellow line,' the political echelon did not approve a broad attack in the heart of Gaza City due to sensitivity regarding the White House, which demands an immediate halt to strikes and targeted killings, except in cases of immediate threats. In response, the IDF conducted pinpoint strikes on several targets.
