No IDF Withdrawal Without Lebanese Army Action Against Hezbollah, Officials Warn
Israeli officials affirmed Wednesday (8th) that the military would not withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon unless the Lebanese Army fulfills its obligations under a ceasefire agreement.
A key provision of the accord requires Hezbollah’s removal from south of the Litani River, a condition that remains unmet.
Hezbollah has reportedly expressed willingness to return to southern Lebanon unarmed, but Israel has rejected this, insisting on full compliance with the agreement. The deal also prohibits the rebuilding of buildings previously used for terrorist activities. Israeli officials have clarified that such sites, deemed “terrorist infrastructure,” will not be restored.
Concerns over the Lebanese Army’s effectiveness were raised during a Security Cabinet meeting. “They are weak,” an Israeli official said, adding that Christian-led units take action, whereas those led by Shia commanders often cooperate with Hezbollah. While the US-led enforcement mechanism is seen as sound, its reliance on the Lebanese Army has proven less effective than anticipated.
Despite these challenges, senior officials stressed that breaking the ceasefire agreement is not Israel’s objective. “We don’t want this scenario but must be ready,” said an Israeli official, noting the IDF’s operational plans to expand maneuvers if the agreement collapses. Ensuring the safety of returning residents, they said, remains a top priority.
Negotiations over contested border points continue to create tension. Lebanon has raised claims to 13 specific locations, while Israel has sought adjustments of its own. According to Lebanon’s pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar newspaper, the ceasefire oversight committee approved the IDF’s continued presence at three strategic positions in southern Lebanon beyond the agreement’s 60-day framework.
The report identified the sites as Labbouneh Forest near Israel’s western Galilee, Jabal Balat opposite the Israeli border towns of Shtula and Zar’it, and Tallat al-Hamams overlooking Metula.
Meanwhile, the IDF remains active in southern Lebanon. Over the past 24-hours, Israeli forces destroyed five weapons storage facilities, according to a military spokesperson. Troops from the 300th Brigade’s Combat Team under the 146th Division continue operations aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure while adhering to the ceasefire terms.
Israel’s approach reflects a balance between upholding the agreement and safeguarding its security. Officials emphasized that any withdrawal is contingent on strict adherence to the ceasefire provisions by all parties involved.
IDF Recovers Hostage Youssef al-Ziyadne’s Body
The Israel Defense Forces announced the recovery of hostage Youssef al-Ziyadne’s remains from an underground tunnel in Rafah Tuesday (7th), facilitating the return of his body to Israel. The statement confirmed that Youssef, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023 died while in captivity. During the same recovery operation, security forces discovered evidence connected to his son, Hamza al-Ziyadne, who was also abducted on Oct. 7, leading to serious concerns about his survival.
The military statement indicated the evidence was located in the southern Gaza Strip. Following the discovery, Youssef’s remains were transported by helicopter to the forensic institute for detailed examination. The al-Ziyadne family reported receiving notification from the IDF claiming the recovery of both Youssef and Hamza’s bodies.
Youssef and Hamza were captured alongside two other members of the al-Ziyadne family – Bilal and Aisha, Youssef’s children – during the Oct. 7 attacks. Bilal and Aisha were later freed during the seventh phase of the only hostage exchange agreement implemented to date. Following this recovery operation, the current count of hostages still held in Gaza stands at 98.
Defense Minister Warns Of Potential War In West Bank, Recommends IDF Response Measures
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the West Bank may be on the brink of war in a meeting with local authorities on Tuesday (7th), N12 reported.
According to the news report, in the meeting attended by Central Command chief Major General Avi Bluth and Major General Ghassan Alian, head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Katz discussed that Hamas originally planned to include West Bank communities in their October 7 attack.
Following the terror attack that took place in the West Bank on Monday (6th), Katz wrote in a post on X that Israel would “not tolerate a Gaza-like reality in the West Bank.”
During the meeting, Katz said that the Defense Ministry is “preparing for a full-scale war situation,” N12 quoted.
He then outlined a series of response measures for the IDF to implement, including “intensified military activity, large-scale counterterrorism operations in key areas, and stricter enforcement along major routes.”
In November, the Defense Ministry announced that it had begun building a fence along the Israel-Jordan border to stop the increased smuggling of weapons from Iran to Palestinians in the West Bank who are encouraged to use the guns to carry out attacks, an article from the Jerusalem Post wrote.
The fence, which has been under intermittent construction for years, has now become a priority due to concerns of further escalation.
Israel Concerned Over Turkish Moves In Syria
Turkey’s attempt to turn Syria into a client state, replacing Iran and Russia as key influencers. Is a growing concern for Israeli officials. A senior political source in Jerusalem confessed that Turkey’s activities in Syria have become a top priority in recent days.
This concern is evident. Two critical discussions are scheduled in the coming days by Israeli leadership: one at the defense ministry, and another led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli officials view Turkey’s moves in Syria as carrying “the potential for heavy friction between the two countries.”
Israel is preparing for the possibility of Turkey becoming a strategic threat, as reflected in the Nagel Commission’s report. The Commission, established to formulate recommendations on Israel’s force building needs and security budget in the coming decade, mentioned Turkey 15 times in the report, highlighting regional instability and the potential for rapid changes, including attempts to destabilize the Jordan monarchy, shifts in Egyptian and Turkish approaches, and rising friction with Israel.
One section of the report explicitly warns the prime minister about the risks: “The problem will escalate if Syrian forces effectively become a ‘Turkish proxy,’ as part of Turkey’s ambition to restore Ottoman-era influence. The presence of Turkish forces or their proxies in Syria could heighten the risk of a direct Israel-Turkey confrontation.
What could lead to this scenario? The Turkish military’s entry into Syria, which could result in the rapid arming of the country, and military actions against the Kurds in the country’s east, potentially spilling over to Israel’s doorstep. This threat is described in the Commission as a “potential for drastic change” in relations with Turkey, a country with which Israel maintains ongoing diplomatic ties, albeit currently based on mutual interests.
In response to the tectonic shifts in Syria, Western countries are rushing to build bridges with the new regime. Recently, the foreign ministers of Germany and France visited Damascus. Moreover, there is a growing trend in Western capitals, including Washington, to remove the main rebel group in the new government, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), from the list of terrorist organizations. “We cannot afford to do otherwise,” Western officials explained to senior Israeli figures regarding their approach to the group, which was previously affiliated with al-Qaeda.
Israel’s concerns can be divided into two main issues: The first is the continued smuggling of weapons through Lebanon under the auspices of the new Syrian regime. The second is Erdogan’s potential exploitation of the situation to crush the autonomous Kurdish rule in eastern Syria, which could result in a massacre of the Kurdish population in the region. In a recent statement on the matter, Erdogan vowed to “bury in the ground, with their weapons, those who choose terror and violence,” referring to the Kurdish militias in the area.
The Kurds have a long-standing relationship with Israel, but Israeli officials emphasize that Israel does not seek direct confrontation with Turkey. The issue of military protection for Kurdish autonomy in Syria is considered a responsibility of the US.
Immediately after Assad’s fall, the IDF outlined two possible scenarios for Syria: one in which the country would be ruled by al-Julani (Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, leader of HTS), or a division of the country into cantons with varying levels of autonomy. The latter scenario is Israel’s preferred outcome.
In practice, Israeli officials say Turkey has become the most influential power in Damascus, replacing Iran’s shiite axis with a Sunni-Turkish alignment. While this alignment is not yet seen as an outright adversary, it may offer safe harbor for terrorist groups. “The arena is multidimensional,” a senior diplomat noted. “Turkey’s interest in turning Syria into a client state, thereby bolstering its regional influence, is clear. Our response includes on-the-ground actions and preparing for potential threats that could escalate rapidly.”
Amid public statements in support of the Kurds, Israel is strengthening ties with Turkey’s historical rivals. In recent months, Israel signed a series of defense agreements with Greece and Cyprus, including a 2 billion Euro deal involving advanced radar and interception systems for Greece. Cyprus has already received Israeli-made Barak MX air defense missiles to replace its Russian systems.
In contrast, Israel’s unique relationship with Azerbaijan, marked by advanced arms sales and substantial oil imports via Turkey,adds another layer of complexity. Israeli weapons played a crucial role in Azerbaijan’s victory over Armenia in Nagomo-Karabakh. Given Turkey’s close alliance with Azerbaijan, tensions between Jerusalem and Ankara could test these ties as well.
‘We Love And Support You:’ NFL Legends Pay Solidarity Visit To Israel
NFL legends Nick Lowery and Tony Richardson touched down in Israel last week on a solidarity visit. Their itinerary included visits to the Nova Festival memorial, kibbutzim affected by the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, and the Druze village of Majdal Shams, where 12 children lost their lives on a soccer field to Hezbollah attacks.
Lowery, who played 18 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets, and Richardson, who played 17 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets, are both ambassadors of Project Max.
Bringing together professional athletes from around the world, Project Max is committed to combating intolerance through sports.
The trip was made possible with the support of Athletes for Israel, an organization committed to combating anti-Semitism and racism while promoting a positive narrative about Israel.
The two spent time with family members of hostages currently held in Gaza, including Yoni and Amit Levy, the father and brother of Na’ama Levy. They also met with IDF soldiers and Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog.
Lowery told the President about his experience meeting with hostage families, saying, “We’re here to say we love and support you – no matter what.”
Richardson emphasized the importance of being a voice for those who do not have one.. During a meeting with Knesset speaker Amir Ohana the delegation discussed the importance of Israeli resilience and of the visitors’ steadfast support for Israel.
Eric Rubin, a member of the Athletes for Israel advisory board and the CEO of Project Max, told JNS about the importance of the visit to Majdal Shams.
“During former NBA Champion Josh Powell’s visit to Israel, we met some of the survivors of the Majdal Shams attack in Ichilov hospital. During that visit, we heard the horror stories, but also saw the resilience of the children and their families. I committed to them that I would do what I could to make sure the world didn’t forget what happened to the 12 angels and all the survivors,” he said.
Bringing Lowery and Richardson to Majdal Shams was Rubin’s way of keeping that promise.
Lowery and Robinson also toured the holy sites of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
“Nick and Tony told me this was the most meaningful trip of their lives,” Rubin said. “They feel a strong bond to the people of Israel. They are amazed by the bravery, the number of heroes, and very importantly, Israeli resilience. They cannot believe how determined Israelis are to wake up each day and not let anything get them down or break their spirit.”
“That is why they can’t be defeated,” they said.
