New Details: The Step by Step Account of the IDF’s Daring Lebanese Infiltration

In a daring overnight operation that signals a new reality on the northern front, an elite IDF special forces unit infiltrated a Lebanese village to apprehend a high ranking operative of the Jama'a Islamiya terror organization. The mission, which took place in the village of Al-Arkoub near the northeast slopes of Mount Dov, targeted Atwi Atwi, a senior figure who had been under intense military surveillance for several weeks. Israeli security officials opted for a ground snatch operation rather than a targeted airstrike, driven by the strategic need to extract intelligence regarding the rapidly evolving terror infrastructure in the region. This operation comes amidst a series of lethal encounters in the north, including the elimination of two Hezbollah terrorists, one of whom was taken out by a precision IDF sniper.

The Midnight Extraction

The operation began under the cover of darkness as a specialized ground unit moved on foot four kilometers into Lebanese territory. Their target was the home of Atwi Atwi, whom intelligence identified as a key player attempting to rehabilitate terror networks in the Mount Dov and Hermon sectors. Upon entering the home, the commandos surprised the terrorist in his bed. To ensure the safety of his wife and prevent any interference, she was restrained and moved to a separate room while the force secured the prisoner. The entire mission was executed with such speed and precision that the commandos were able to withdraw and return to Israel with the high value target before a significant counterattack could be organized.

Until recently, a ground operation of this nature deep inside Lebanon was considered a "mission impossible," but the IDF's increasing operational control over the border regions has made such raids a recurring reality. The goal of bringing Atwi Atwi back alive is centered on the "treasure trove" of information he likely possesses regarding the recent tactical cooperation between Sunni and Shiite terror groups.

The Rise of Jama'a Islamiya

Jama'a Islamiya is a Lebanese Sunni movement established as a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Its military wing, known as the "Al-Fajr Forces," has operated for over 40 years, but has recently undergone a dangerous transformation. While historically distinct from Hezbollah, the organization has formed a tight alliance with the Iranian-backed axis over the last two years, fueled by a steady flow of Iranian funding. The group is considered a direct affiliate of Hamas terrorists, often sharing personnel and resources. In January 2026, the U.S. State Department officially designated the group as a Global Terror Organization, recognizing its independent capacity to launch rocket fire and IED attacks against Israeli civilians and military positions.

Naim Qassem and the Regional Vacuum

The capture of Atwi Atwi has forced a response from Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, though his speech was notably "weak" according to regional analysts. Qassem accused Israel of trying to "create an atmosphere of fear" and claimed the raid was intended to "break the spirit of resistance." He argued that the central problem facing Lebanon is "Israeli-American aggression" and insisted that military force is the only solution.

However, beneath the rhetoric lies a deep concern within the Israeli security establishment. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the heavy blows dealt to Hezbollah have created a power vacuum in the Syrian-Lebanese border region. Intelligence indicates that a "terrorist scramble" is underway, with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Houthis, and Iranian operatives all attempting to establish new cells in the chaos. The concern is that these groups intend to turn the Syrian Golan Heights into an active front, allowing them to attack Israel without immediately triggering a full-scale war in Lebanon. While some U.S. CENTCOM officials suggest the new Syrian regime is trying to block these movements, Israeli officials remain skeptical, suspecting that Damascus may be playing a double game between Iranian pressure and Western demands.