Report in Lebanon: Hezbollah awaiting green light from Tehran for escalation

A Lebanese source claims today (Sunday) that Hezbollah is acting intentionally to derail direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. According to the report, the organization is raising the level of military operations and is awaiting a green light from the regime in Iran to intensify the escalation.

The Lebanese newspaper "Nidaa al-Watan" brings the words of a local source who warns of Hezbollah's plans. The source explained that the organization is trying to disrupt the negotiations under the auspices of the United States, and that it is waiting for instructions from Tehran to expand the military confrontation against the backdrop of tensions with the American administration.

According to the Lebanese source, the current escalation in the south of the country opens the door to dangerous possibilities that could lead to the renewal of the war and the collapse of diplomatic contacts. At the same time, he pointed an accusing finger at Israel as well, claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to achieve a military accomplishment in southern Lebanon. According to him, the goal is to improve Netanyahu's political standing ahead of the elections and to exert pressure on the Lebanese side in the talks.

At the same time, Lebanese security sources told the newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" that it seems any attempt by Hezbollah to repel the IDF's advance on the Ali al-Taher ridge will be met with an expansion of strikes into deeper areas. The Lebanese sources added that the goal is to exert pressure on Hezbollah and on the state of Lebanon. Furthermore, they noted that in Lebanon, they still hold the position that the ceasefire must be established and additional pilot zones defined for the withdrawal of the IDF.

The warnings come after a tense weekend in southern Lebanon. Yesterday, three IDF soldiers were seriously wounded by the impact of an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah at a force operating on the Ali al-Taher ridge, in violation of the ceasefire. In response, the IDF struck a series of targets, including a headquarters from which the attack order was given. In one of the strikes in the Deir al-Zahrani area, Abu Hassan Alaa, a senior commander in Hezbollah's "Badr" unit, was eliminated.

Following the injury to the soldiers, the Prime Minister's Office published a statement in which it accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields, after it was reported in Lebanon that 11 people were killed in the Israeli strikes. The United States stood by Israel, and a spokesperson for the State Department clarified that Hezbollah bears sole responsibility for Israel's presence on Lebanese territory, and that the organization must be disarmed to ensure long-term stability.