A New York Times report details growing anger among IDF commanders and reservists in southern Lebanon over what they describe as restrictive rules of engagement. Troops say they are limited to defensive-only operations against drones and other threats, and feel unable to carry out effective missions. One reservist told the paper, 'We didn't have full credit to carry out missions,' while a soldier described fearing drone strikes without being allowed to preempt them.
The New York Times report published Tuesday, based on interviews with unnamed Israeli military sources and several reservists, provides first-person accounts of troops describing a defensive-only posture in southern Lebanon. One reservist told the paper, "It feels like we're not doing anything significant," describing how upon spotting an explosive drone he enters a routine call and prays not to be hit. Another soldier said: "We didn't have full credit to carry out missions."
This account builds on a chain of reporting over the past 24 hours. At 17:16 Jerusalem on Monday, commentator Hillel Bitton Rosen said on social media that troops were ordered not to fire without an immediate threat — contradicting statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu. At 19:24 Jerusalem on Monday, The New York Times itself confirmed those restrictions and added that house demolitions in the security zone require chief-of-staff-level approval. The new report Tuesday now adds firsthand reservist testimony to a pattern that has evolved from an unverified claim (Bitton Rosen) to an official-sourced confirmation (NYT, citing two Israeli officials) to troops speaking on the record about its effect on morale and safety.
The drone threat that troops say they cannot preempt has caused casualties. As The Zioneer reported on June 7, four reserve soldiers were moderately wounded by an explosive drone in southern Lebanon. On June 17, five soldiers were wounded — one severely — in a similar incident, which the IDF confirmed. Earlier Monday, at 23:17 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that officers confirmed growing criticism from troops over operational restrictions.
What remains open: The Times report cites unnamed sources and reservists who are not identified by full name. The IDF has not responded publicly to the specific troop accounts of preemption limits, and it remains unclear whether the restrictions described reflect a formal written directive or informal command guidance. No official change to rules of engagement has been announced.
4 developments
- StrongGrowing criticism from IDF troops over operational restrictions, officers say
- DevelopingIsraeli troops in Lebanon report shift in rules of engagement, liken themselves to 'ducks'
- DevelopingBitton Rosen: change to restrictive fire orders in Lebanon is a moral disgrace
- DevelopingFive IDF soldiers wounded by explosive drone in southern Lebanon, IDF confirms
Source and signal
- Internal intake