Major General Ori Gordin, Commander of the Northern Command, conducted a situational assessment this week with Colonel Or Voloshinsky, Commander of the “Barak” (188th) Armored Brigade, and the brigade’s fighters during their ground operations in southern Lebanon. The visit aimed to closely monitor the progress of the operation and to encourage the fighters.
During the visit, Gordin reviewed the significant achievements of the IDF forces in their fight against Hezbollah. He noted that the combat teams of the 188th Armored Brigade, operating under the command of the 36th Division, managed to destroy weapon depots, clear the area of terrorist infrastructure, and significantly damage the capabilities and weapons of the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s elite unit.
Gordin highlighted the significant progress in disrupting Hezbollah’s command and control systems: “We have been inflicting very heavy damage on Hezbollah’s command and control for two weeks,” he said. “This follows ten months of targeting their tactical and operational command, and now we are hitting their strategic command.”
The Commander emphasized the importance of integrating ground activities with air and intelligence efforts. He mentioned that the recent strikes on Hezbollah’s artillery systems, combined with the current ground operations, represent a significant strategic blow to the organization.
Gordin connected the fighters’ activities to the ultimate goal of returning the residents of the north to their homes: “The path back home for the northern residents goes through precisely this effort—eliminating this direct and concrete threat to the northern communities,” he stressed. “As we said, we are determined to bring them back, and you are achieving this with your tank treads and your boots.”
During his visit, the Major General also toured other brigades that joined the fighting, including the “Biram” (300th) Brigade, and held situational assessments with field commanders. These visits underscore the high level of involvement by senior command in managing the campaign and the importance the IDF places on ground operations in Lebanon.
