In accordance with the ceasefire agreement and the extension granted to Israel, the IDF is expected to withdraw from villages in southern Lebanon by Tuesday while remaining at five key positions deemed essential for the defense of northern Israeli communities.
The IDF is preparing for a prolonged stay at these positions, with the intention of remaining until it is confirmed that Hezbollah is not re-establishing a presence south of the Litani River or until a different decision is made by Israel's political leadership.
The five positions where the IDF will remain at this stage are:
- Ras al-Sulam Ridge - A position overlooking Wadi Qataiya, expected to strengthen defenses around Shlomi.
- Jabal Balat Outpost - Known in the past as Karqom Outpost, expected to bolster defenses in the areas of Shetula and Zar'it.
- Shaked Ridge - Overlooks the Naftali Mountains, Tzavon, the Saluki Valley, and Bint Jbeil.
- Tzavon Ridge - Located above Margaliot, shoring up defences towards the Naftali Mountains.
- Hammamis Ridge - Secures the Galilee panhandle and Metula.
Each of these positions will be manned by a company-sized IDF force, possibly at a reduced scale. The IDF has structured its deployment to minimize friction between its forces and the local civilian population.
In parallel, the IDF is establishing additional outposts along the border, within Israeli territory, with the goal of positioning a post opposite every Israeli community. The military presence along the border is set to remain significantly reinforced, nearly three times the pre-October 7 force levels. Additionally, intelligence-gathering capabilities along the border have been strengthened.
IDF officials stress that, in coordination with the US-French mechanism, the Lebanese Armed Forces are operating at an unprecedented level, conducting building searches and enforcing sovereignty over Hezbollah, including along the Lebanon-Syria border. However, despite the progress, Israel maintains that Lebanon's military is acting slower than expected. The officials add that Israel will continue to reserve the right to act independently if the Lebanese army does not take necessary measures, particularly against high-priority targets. The burden of proof will remain on Israel over time to justify its actions.
Starting Tuesday morning, residents of southern Lebanese villages are expected to return to their homes. The IDF anticipates that they will encounter widespread devastation, with villages left in ruins. The military is preparing for demonstrations and marches, taking measures to prevent protesters from approaching the border fence or wall. Nonetheless, officials predict that Hezbollah flags will be seen in southern Lebanese villages as early as tomorrow.
The IDF acknowledges that Hezbollah terrorists live among the local population. While in the immediate term, their ability to act against Israel is limited due to the destruction of infrastructure, over time, Israel will need to demonstrate superior intelligence-gathering capabilities to distinguish between civilians and militants and to take decisive action against hostile elements.
Regarding Hezbollah's military buildup, the IDF notes that changes in Syria, along with Israeli strikes along the Syria-Lebanon border, have disrupted the smuggling route from Iran to Hezbollah. Israel remains determined to continue enforcing these restrictions.
Following the financial sanctions that have weakened Hezbollah's banking network, Israeli intelligence has identified Iranian attempts to transfer cash into Lebanon under the guise of civilian flights. Israel has made it clear that it will not tolerate such activity, and for now, even the Lebanese government appears unwilling to allow it. This policy has led to the recent prevention of civilian flights from Tehran to Beirut.
