The IDF Chief of Staff said Wednesday evening in southern Lebanon that the military will not withdraw from the territory it has seized until long-term security is assured, and that troops are prepared to 'deepen and reach additional areas' if required. The statement, reported by ynet, emphasizes Israel's readiness to expand operations against Hezbollah infrastructure.
The IDF Chief of Staff delivered a detailed statement Wednesday evening from southern Lebanon, reiterating that the military will not withdraw from captured territory until long-term security is assured and that troops are prepared to 'deepen and reach additional areas' if required. The remarks, reported by ynet, expand on initial reports at 19:37 Jerusalem that first quoted the Chief of Staff's warning against withdrawal and potential deepening of operations, and a subsequent bulletin at 19:42 that highlighted the threat of expanded operations.
The thread began at 19:37 Jerusalem with initial reports citing the Chief of Staff's statements on non-withdrawal and readiness to deepen the campaign. By 19:42, The Zioneer's bulletin emphasized the warning of reaching additional areas. The current statement, from the same evening, provides a more detailed account of the IDF's posture, including the clearing of Hezbollah infrastructure from captured areas, which the Chief of Staff described as territories from which the terror group deployed against northern Israeli communities. The source remains ynet throughout, with no additional corroboration reported.
As The Zioneer reported on Thu Jun 18, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed the IDF to remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as security needs require, and the military has maintained full freedom of action to strike Hezbollah targets. On Mon Jul 6, The Zioneer reported that Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, during a tour of the Beaufort Ridge, called on the Lebanese army to clear Hezbollah remnants from areas beyond the IDF's immediate zone, and emphasized that the IDF is prepared for a rapid offensive if the ceasefire is violated. The IDF has been systematically destroying Hezbollah's tunnel networks and command centers, as covered in The Zioneer's reports.
The specific conditions that would trigger a withdrawal remain undefined, and the extent of the additional areas the IDF may reach was not specified. The Lebanese army's response to the demand to clear Hezbollah remnants also remains unclear, though the expectation has been publicly stated.
5 developments
- StrongIDF chief visits southern Lebanon, says all military resources allocated for return to combat
- DevelopingChief of Staff to 401st Brigade in south Lebanon: Renewed combat may be necessary, ceasefire is fragile
- ConfirmedIDF Chief of Staff approves Northern Command plans, vows readiness for return to combat in Lebanon and Iran
- DevelopingIDF Chief of Staff Visits Gaza, Vows to Disarm Hamas
Source and signal
- Open-source intake