After a limited discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports emerged yesterday from sources in Israel, the U.S., and Lebanon regarding Israel giving the green light “in principle” for a ceasefire; contingent upon final approval from the political-security cabinet. In the meantime, Hezbollah and the IDF continue to exchange attacks, possibly in the lead-up to an agreement.
The decision came at the end of a day when over 250 rockets were fired from Lebanon, the most since the beginning of the war, prompting extensive air force strikes on 12 Hezbollah command centers in the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut.
An Israeli source stated after the report that although there is a “willingness and principle intention to proceed,” there are still “issues on the table.” He explained that “it’s not finalized, but the direction is positive.” According to Ynet, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein informed Lebanon yesterday of Israel’s agreement to the arrangement.
The limited gathering led by Netanyahu included heads of the security establishment and ministers Israel Katz, Gideon Sa’ar, Ron Dermer, Bezalel Smotrich, and Itamar Ben Gvir to discuss the details of the developing agreement.
Hezbollah’s Barrages: Attempt to Have the Last Word
In the heavy barrages launched by Hezbollah yesterday, 8 people were injured, one seriously, one moderately, and the rest lightly. Despite the appearance of an escalation trend, Israeli officials say the aim of the fire was Hezbollah’s attempt to “have the last word” prior to the impending ceasefire.
Through the heavy and far ranging rocket fire that reached Israel’s central region, the terrorist organization is sending a message that “Beirut is equal to Tel Aviv.” In addition, published an AI-generated image showing a street in Tel Aviv in flames, with the caption “Tel Aviv is equal to Beirut.” In response to Hezbollah’s threat, the IDF Spokesperson in Arabic, Colonel Avikhai Adrai, stated: “Anyone who thinks they are in a position to impose equations should refrain from consuming news from Hezbollah’s media outlets. You are welcome to visit Dahieh today and tonight, and understand.”
Indeed, shortly thereafter, Israel carried out the threat with a series of significant strikes on terror strongholds in the Dahieh neighborhood. “The IDF attacked 12 military command centers of Hezbollah using air force fighter jets, directed by the Intelligence Division,” the IDF Spokesperson reported. “Among the command centers that were attacked: Hezbollah’s Intelligence Headquarters, the organization’s coastal missile unit, and Unit 4400 in Hezbollah, responsible for transferring weapons from Iran through Syria to Lebanon.”
In the Meantime: IDF Eliminated Many Terrorists in Southern Lebanon
Additionally, the IDF Spokesperson updated yesterday that Israel has raided 150 terror targets since the beginning of the week and eliminated a significant number of terrorists, from the air and in clashes.
“Troops from the 188th Brigade Combat Team established operational control in the area and within a few days eliminated many terrorists, found and destroyed dozens of weapon storage facilities, and hundreds of buildings and terror infrastructures,” it was reported. “Troops from the Golani Brigade Combat Team eliminated numerous terrorists in dozens of operations in southern Lebanon to destroy and neutralize Hezbollah’s terror capabilities and infrastructures in villages and complex areas. In the underground, the Yahalom Unit troops located, raided, and destroyed key Hezbollah targets and complexes filled with weapons and combat equipment. In support fire activities, Brigade 282 crossed into Lebanon for the first time in 24 years and carried out strikes from Lebanese territory, alongside dozens of strikes against Hezbollah targets.”
