IDF demanded a powerful strike in Lebanon - but the political echelon blocked it
The IDF reported a "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire by Hezbollah and evacuated an entire village, but only announced that the strikes were "targeted." It has been learned that the army demanded more powerful strikes, but the political echelon blocked them, at least for now. In the background, talks are being held with the Lebanese government in Rome.
The IDF demanded a powerful strike in Lebanon in response to the "flagrant" violation reported by Hezbollah, but the political echelon blocked it, and for now, the army was required to settle for more pinpoint strikes. However, it is unclear if this is the final response to the incident, and discussions are taking place between the defense establishment and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding a powerful response during the night.
In Lebanon, reports emerged this afternoon of strikes in the village of Al-Mansouri in the Tyre area, and shortly after, the IDF spokesperson in Arabic announced the immediate evacuation of the village, accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire. After the reports in Lebanon, the IDF spokesperson officially updated that:
"In response to a flagrant violation by Hezbollah, the IDF has begun targeted strikes in southern Lebanon."
The ceasefire violation reported by the IDF today occurred a few days after an encounter by the Egoz unit in southern Lebanon, in which several soldiers were wounded. The 91st Division's fire brigade is attacking south of the yellow line, among other things with artillery fire and from the air, against weapons depots and infrastructure. The villages in the area are supposed to be empty of people, and the goal is to send a message. The strikes will continue in the coming hours.
According to a Lebanese report, about 15 families who still remained in the village left following the evacuation warning. At the same time, reports in Lebanon mentioned one dead and several wounded in another strike in Tibnine. A military source confirmed that:
"The village of Al-Mansouri is located within the security zone under IDF control, where military activity is still taking place that endangers the lives of Lebanese civilians. The IDF evacuated them in order to protect their safety. The civilians arrived under the cover of the Lebanese army, which set up a checkpoint in the area in violation of the agreements."
The strikes were recorded in parallel with negotiations in Rome between Israel and Lebanon, after the Americans announced an agreement between the countries. The Lebanese LBCI network described the atmosphere on the day of the talks as "delicate and sensitive," and said that the main issues discussed were the pilot zones, the cessation of fighting, tunnel explosions, and the destruction of villages in southern Lebanon.
