Hillel Bitton Rosen, a senior Israeli commentator and former military figure, said Monday evening that the actual order given to Israeli troops in Lebanon is to refrain from opening fire unless there is an immediate danger, contradicting recent statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu, according to his social media post.
Hillel Bitton Rosen, a prominent Israeli commentator and former senior military figure with close ties to reservist networks, directly challenged Prime Minister Netanyahu's characterization of the rules of engagement for IDF troops deployed in Lebanon. In a social media post Monday evening, Bitton Rosen asserted that the actual directive given to soldiers is clear: no firing unless an immediate threat exists. This directly contradicts Netanyahu's recent public statements on the matter, according to Bitton Rosen.
The comment marks the latest in a series of public critiques by Bitton Rosen over what he describes as dangerously restrictive fire orders on the Lebanon front. As The Zioneer has reported, Bitton Rosen previously called for lifting those restrictions entirely or withdrawing troops, and described a further tightening as a moral disgrace. He has also argued that the military command must raise a red flag alongside political leadership. The post comes as debate continues within Israel over the effectiveness and safety of current rules of engagement in southern Lebanon.
It remains unclear whether Bitton Rosen's claim reflects an official IDF order known to him via his sources, or his interpretation of the operational reality. No IDF or defense official has publicly confirmed his version of the directive.
3 developments
- DevelopingReport: IDF ordered to restrict offensive operations in southern Lebanon, destruction of major terror infrastructure requires American approval
- DevelopingIDF sharply constrained its strikes in southern Lebanon since last week, source says
- StrongIDF confirms political directive to cease fire in Lebanon, remains on high alert for Iran threats
- StrongGalei Tzahal reports cease-fire directive in southern Lebanon predates weekend deaths, tightens strike rules
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