Yesterday (Tuesday), the IDF launched a series of attacks on structures in Beirut’s Dahiya neighborhood, known as Hezbollah’s command and control stronghold in Lebanon. Dozens of buildings were destroyed, including those storing precise, long-range missiles and weapon production sites, with industrial components nearly irreplaceable for Hezbollah (at least in the near future). Additional strikes targeted northern and southern Lebanon, from Nabatieh to the Beqaa Valley. Reports indicate that one of the casualties in these attacks was Hadi Nasrallah, nephew of the late Hezbollah Secretary-General, who was named after his cousin, the son of the leader, who died in a clash with IDF soldiers in 1997.
At the same time, U.S.-mediated ceasefire negotiations in Lebanon are ongoing. Mediator Amos Hochstein expressed optimism about Hezbollah’s interest in a complete cessation of hostilities. However, from Israel’s perspective, the ceasefire will not proceed until its demands are met, specifically regarding enhanced enforcement of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and strengthening Lebanon’s state institutions over Hezbollah’s influence. Simultaneously, the IDF Chief of Staff has approved plans for deeper maneuvers into the second line of villages along the Lebanese border. Yesterday, Israel officially disclosed that, based on information in its possession, the massive explosion at Beirut Port four years ago—which resulted in 200 deaths—was caused by improper storage of Hezbollah’s munitions-related materials. This disclosure aims to undermine Hezbollah’s credibility within Lebanon.
In recent days, Hezbollah has also escalated its actions against Israel—possibly attempting to create a “victory image” before the campaign’s end. UAVs launched toward Israel from the north and east were successfully intercepted, and fortunately, no injuries occurred from a UAV explosion in a kindergarten in the city of Nesher. A rocket barrage toward the Gush Dan area was also intercepted. However, during a rocket strike on Nahariya, two civilians were tragically killed: Ziv Blefer, 52, a café owner in Haifa, and Shimon Najem, 54, a former SLA fighter who relocated to Israel. May their memory be blessed.
