Three weeks ago, Major General Uri Gordin, Commander of the IDF Northern Command, informed members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee of significant ceasefire violations by Hezbollah. According to a report from Kan News, General Gordin stated that since the ceasefire with Lebanon began, Hezbollah has committed hundreds of violations. Alarmingly, he revealed that the Lebanese Army is not only failing to enforce the ceasefire but is actively assisting Hezbollah in its operations.
This past week, a similar report was presented in a closed session of the Knesset’s committee. The detailed briefing included specific locations where Hezbollah is manufacturing and storing weapons, evidence of Hezbollah forces operating in areas prohibited by the ceasefire agreement, and additional infractions that have gone unaddressed—even by Israel.
The 60-day ceasefire with Lebanon (Hezbollah) is set to expire next week, and the accumulating evidence suggests that an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon would be untenable under the current circumstances. The growing threat posed by Hezbollah’s actions, compounded by the complicity of the Lebanese Army, has heightened concerns within Israel’s security establishment.
Amid these tensions, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer engaged in high-level discussions with the new U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Walz last night. According to a source familiar with the matter, according to Kan News, one of the key objectives of their conversation was to secure an official extension of the ceasefire to allow for further diplomatic and security measures.
Meanwhile, the IDF reported a concerning discovery near Har Dov, close to Israel’s northern border. Large quantities of Hezbollah weaponry were found, including anti-tank missiles, machine guns, and rockets aimed at Israeli territory. These findings underscore the severity of the ongoing threat and the fragility of the ceasefire agreement.
As the deadline for the ceasefire’s expiration approaches, Israel faces critical decisions about its next steps in ensuring the safety and security of its northern border, returning the residents, dealing with Hezbollah – and most importantly, not exiting Lebanon.
