Lebanon Presses to Soften Israel’s Response to Hezbollah Violations; Israel Says: “This Isn’t Over Yet”

Israel’s security establishment and political leadership have been holding discussions in recent hours (Wednesday) over the next phase of Israel’s response in southern Lebanon, after the IDF sought to carry out a significant military operation following a serious violation by Hezbollah, the details of which cannot yet be made public. According to media reports, the political leadership halted the operational plan, apparently due to American pressure, and is now considering whether to approve a broader response. Channel 14 quoted an Israeli source as saying that  “Israel’s response to Hezbollah’s violation is not yet over.”

According to security officials, the strikes carried out by the IDF today were described as limited and insignificant. Last week as well, after fighters from the Egoz Unit encountered an incident in the Ali al-Taher area in which soldiers were wounded, the IDF refrained from carrying out a large-scale strike.

As Israel weighs its options, Lebanon is trying to use the round of negotiations held in Rome over the past two days to limit the scope of Israel’s response to Hezbollah violations, Kan 11 reported. According to the reports, members of the Lebanese delegation worked during the discussions with the Israeli delegation in an effort to cancel the Israeli threat toward the Shiite village of al-Mansouri in western southern Lebanon.

In Beirut, officials hope that American pressure will influence decision-making in Jerusalem, especially given the Trump administration’s desire to ensure the talks succeed. The assessment in Lebanon is that Washington will prefer to prevent an escalation that could undermine diplomatic contacts.

Hezbollah is also at the center of the tensions. Assessments indicate that the group does not want the talks to succeed and is working to continue provocations against IDF forces in southern Lebanon.

Earlier today, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson issued an unusual evacuation notice to residents of the village of al-Mansouri. The notice stated: “In light of the ceasefire agreement violation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF is forced to act against it with force.” It further clarified: “The IDF has no intention of harming you. For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the village northward for a distance of at least 1,000 meters, toward open areas. Anyone near Hezbollah operatives, its facilities, and its weapons endangers their life.”

Shortly after the notice was issued, the IDF spokesperson said that, in response to the ceasefire agreement violation, the IDF had begun carrying out targeted strikes in southern Lebanon.