Field escalation in southern Lebanon: Hezbollah targets occupation vehicles, and Zamir threatens to expand strikes

Lebanese Hezbollah announced a series of aerial attacks using drones, targeting gatherings of vehicles and soldiers of the Israeli occupation army in the town of Al-Bayada, located in the southern part of the country. The party confirmed in its statement that the operation achieved confirmed casualties among the Israeli forces, noting that this move comes within the framework of defending Lebanon and in response to repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.

In a separate operation, Hezbollah fighters attacked two Merkava tanks belonging to the occupation army with two suicide drones while they were near the square of the town of Al-Qantara in southern Lebanon. The statement clarified that the attack resulted in direct hits to the two tanks, emphasizing the continuation of operations as long as Israeli aggressions against Lebanese sovereignty and residential areas continue.

The field operations also included targeting a third Merkava tank in the vicinity of the town of Beit Leif, where the resistance used a suicide drone that accurately hit its target. These field developments come at a time when the southern front is witnessing escalating tension despite international efforts to stabilize the fragile calm that was previously reached.

For its part, Hebrew media sources reported that sirens sounded four consecutive times in several settlements in northern Israel, including Baram, Dovev, and Tzivon. These alerts came after the detection of drones and missiles launched from Lebanese territory towards the Upper Galilee, which caused a state of alert among the occupation forces.

The sources indicated that warning systems were activated in Moshav Misgav in the Galilee Panhandle area due to suspicion of drone infiltration, before it was later announced to be a false alarm. At the same time, sirens sounded in the border settlement of Metula to warn of similar aerial threats, amidst intense Israeli warplane activity.

In contrast, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir issued strong threats during his visit to the forces deployed in the areas occupied by the army in southern Lebanon. Zamir threatened to target any Hezbollah sites, even if they were located north of the Litani River or outside what the occupation calls the 'Yellow Line' which it defined as a security zone.

Zamir said in his statements that the Israeli army would not hesitate to eliminate any threat facing its forces or northern settlements, regardless of its geographical location. He added that military forces might have to remain in their current positions for longer periods to ensure the maintenance of the dividing line and prevent any direct firing towards residents in the north.

The Chief of Staff considered that the military successes achieved by the army provided the necessary groundwork for the political operations and negotiations currently underway. He hinted that continuous military pressure is the only way to impose Israeli conditions in any future settlement related to disarming Hezbollah and removing it from the borders.

On the Lebanese political front, President Joseph Aoun stressed the necessity of Israel's full commitment to a ceasefire before moving to any direct talks. Aoun affirmed that the continuation of Israeli aggressions and demolition operations in the south after the agreement was announced cannot be accepted, considering it an undermining of diplomatic efforts.

The Lebanese President clarified that Beirut is currently awaiting an official date from the United States to begin direct negotiations with the Israeli side. He indicated that the top priority for the Lebanese state is to protect its citizens and ensure the withdrawal of occupation forces from all territories they have recently encroached upon.

Any threat, anywhere, against our communities or forces, including beyond the Yellow Line and north of the Litani, will be eliminated.