Waiting for Netanyahu
Hezbollah's Deadline to Disarm Ends, IDF Readies for Combat
The ultimatum, issued to the Lebanese government, required the full disarming of the Iran-backed group by the end of 2025. With no signs of compliance, Israeli defense officials are awaiting Netanyahu's final go-ahead, amid mounting violations of the fragile ceasefire that took hold earlier this year.
Israel's military is preparing for potential short-term strikes in Lebanon as a U.S.-backed deadline for Hezbollah to disarm expires at midnight Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to decide next steps following his recent meeting with President Donald Trump, as reported by israel hayom today.
.According to the latest Israeli military data, Hezbollah has breached the truce 2,024 times since its inception, while the Lebanese army has enforced only 593 of those incidents. Israel has submitted 863 enforcement requests to Lebanese forces, which claim to have addressed 593. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have taken independent action on about 90 violations, leaving 145 targets unresolved.
Security sources told Israel Hayom that Lebanon is projecting an illusion of progress. Beirut asserts that 90% to 95% of the area south of the Litani River—a key buffer zone under U.N. Resolution 1701—is free of Hezbollah presence. But Israeli intelligence disputes this, noting the Lebanese army's avoidance of private properties and villages in the south. Evidence suggests Hezbollah is rebuilding its capabilities even in restricted areas, exploiting the army's weakness and lack of determination to fully dismantle the group.
Since the ceasefire, Israel has carried out roughly 390 targeted operations in Lebanon, eliminating threats including local coordinators aiding Hezbollah's efforts to regroup in civilian zones. Estimates place hundreds to a few thousand Hezbollah operatives south of the Litani, though not directly on the border. The IDF maintains a zero-tolerance policy for suspicious activity near the line, as seen in Tuesday night's strike on a suspect believed to be working for the group. Intelligence indicates Hezbollah retains prewar infrastructure in the area, with only partial damage from prior Israeli actions.
Diplomatic efforts have ramped up in recent weeks to pressure Lebanon into compliance. A coordination meeting is slated for next weekend in Naqoura, involving diplomatic representatives, building on prior sessions.
Yet preparations for military action are well underway. For months, the IDF has readied for several days of combat, focusing on targets not routinely hit. The Israeli Air Force could extend operations beyond southern Lebanon, emphasizing Hezbollah sites in central Beirut, a densely populated area largely spared since the truce to minimize civilian risks. If approved, the operation would likely span just a few days, though contingencies account for escalation depending on Hezbollah's response. Israeli officials stress an unwavering commitment to preventing the group's resurgence.
The developments come against a backdrop of heightened U.S.-Israel coordination. Netanyahu's discussions with Trump this week pointed to shared concerns over Iran's proxies, with the prime minister publicly calling for Hezbollah's disarmament: "We will not allow the organization to rebuild its strength." As the deadline passes, the region teeters on the edge, with global markets watching for any ripple effects on oil prices and Middle East stability.