Hezbollah tries to edge closer to Israeli border; IDF steps up airstrikes and drills

Following complaints from residents along the northern border that Hezbollah members were spotted approaching the fence, Galilee Division Commander Brig. Gen. Yuval Gez sent a message to local security coordinators confirming the reports and outlining the army’s policy for enforcement along the frontier.

“In recent days, we have identified increased attempts to reach agricultural areas along the front during olive harvest season,” Gez wrote. “We are focusing our efforts on these areas and acting to drive away any suspect we detect. We will not allow Hezbollah activity or recovery along the front and will continue to operate offensively and continuously.”

The division operates across several kilometers of territory, with five outposts inside Lebanon. Its enforcement begins at the border and extends toward Beirut, including raids that uncover large Hezbollah weapons caches still hidden in the area. At the same time, the division runs air interdiction operations to prevent Hezbollah’s southern and Radwan forces from regrouping or rebuilding.

Hezbollah still retains certain capabilities and is seeking new ways to restore them, Israeli officials said. The IDF’s goal is to eliminate those capabilities entirely. “Always soldiers before civilians, especially when there are warnings,” Gez emphasized, referring to lessons learned from the situation before Oct. 7, when troops were held back and civilians were exposed to Hezbollah threats. Gez also announced that next week the army will conduct its largest divisional exercise since the war began, aimed at further strengthening operational readiness.

One of the main targets belonged to the “Green Without Borders” organization, which was exposed in 2018 as a civilian cover for Hezbollah operations along the border. Although it claims to protect forests and wildlife, the group was found to mask militant activity in southern Lebanon. In recent years, it has been sanctioned by the United States for cooperating with Hezbollah. Meanwhile, another attempted attack was thwarted Saturday afternoon, the details of which are under investigation. Since the ceasefire began, the IDF has eliminated 317 militants in Lebanon, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts to disrupt Hezbollah’s buildup and recovery.

“The challenge is to maintain this policy consistently and not fold under international pressure,” a senior Northern Command officer told Ynet. “Pulling back our outposts or reducing attacks would bring Hezbollah back to the fence and allow it to strengthen again.”