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Photo Credit: Ayal Margolin/Flash90
An IDF tank on Israel’s border with Lebanon, January 12, 2025. The current ceasefire in southern Lebanon is set to expire in two days, and security tensions in the region remain a top priority on Israel’s political and security agenda. A political-security cabinet meeting held Thursday night in Jerusalem concluded without significant decisions but reaffirmed that the IDF will maintain its current deployment in the area while staying on high alert for any potential scenarios.
Israel has expressed interest in extending the ceasefire in Lebanon by an additional 30 days and has sought US support to allow more time for a planned withdrawal. The cabinet meeting primarily focused on the situation in Lebanon, with discussions centering on whether the IDF should fully withdraw from southern Lebanon. The defense establishment indicated that additional time is needed before completing the withdrawal. Meanwhile, plans are underway for another partial withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with a full withdrawal expected to follow at a later stage.
In related developments, Ministers Haim Katz and Gila Gamliel joined the political-security cabinet on Thursday. Katz has been appointed as a permanent member, serving as the national security portfolio holder replacing Itamar Ben Gvir, while Gamliel joined as an observer.
Note: the civilian homes described in the tweet below are all storehouses of weapons and ammunition, stashed ahead of a Hezbollah-planned October 7-like massacre.
BREAKING:
Israel is wiping out entire civilian homes in Taybeh, South Lebanon—despite a so-called “ceasefire.”
No justification.
No military targets.
Just terrorism, destruction, and war crimes in plain sight.
And, of course, the “international community” stays silent. pic.twitter.com/n3Ru5B6dPw
— sarah (@sahouraxo) January 22, 2025
The phased withdrawal process over the past few weeks has allowed the IDF to conduct thorough scans of areas near the border fence in southern Lebanon, uncovering significant Hezbollah weapon caches, terror positions, and tunnels (Ceasefire Notwithstanding, Gaza Terror Tunnel Found Near Israeli Border).
In recent days, forces from the 7th Brigade, under the command of the 91st Division, have expanded their searches, discovering a large stockpile of weapons, including Kornet missiles, grenades, and Kalashnikov rifles. Working alongside the specialized Yahalam unit, they also uncovered and destroyed several underground bunkers used by Hezbollah as living quarters and weapons depots. All the discovered weapons were either confiscated or destroyed.
Additionally, the 810th Brigade combat team, commanded by Division 210, conducted operations in the challenging terrain of Mount Dov in southern Lebanon. Their mission was to neutralize threats and clear the area of enemy weapons and infrastructure. The team found a variety of weapons, including anti-tank and rocket launchers, machine guns, sights, and missiles targeting Israeli territory. All the weapons were confiscated during the operation.
During their searches, the IDF forces also uncovered boxes of grenade launchers and ammunition with Hebrew inscriptions. Upon investigation, it was determined that this was IDF ammunition left behind during the Second Lebanon War in 2006, which Hezbollah had apparently captured and stored.
A story of resistance in south Lebanon
Oil paintings by Ahmad Abdallah pic.twitter.com/0WwfGrXj7J
— ➳❥ (@VintageVault8) January 16, 2025
The IDF stressed its ongoing commitment to operate in southern Lebanon “in accordance with the understandings between Israel and Lebanon while adhering to the terms of the ceasefire.” The military stated that its forces remain deployed in the area and will act against any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens.
The short of it is that Israel does not intend to fully withdraw from South Lebanon at this stage, due to the failure of the Lebanese Army to meet its agreed-upon commitments. In response, the IDF will also retain the right to a harsh and immediate response in the event of blatant violations by Hezbollah.
Earlier this month, Northern Command Commander Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin informed the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that Hezbollah had committed hundreds of violations since the ceasefire with Lebanon came into effect. According to Maj. Gen. Gordin, the Lebanese army—tasked with enforcing the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah—has been aiding the terrorist organization, particularly in areas where the Lebanese Army has Shiite commanders or companies.
A similar assessment was presented during a closed committee meeting in the Knesset earlier this week. Army representatives shared numerous examples of agreement violations, including Hezbollah manufacturing and storing weapons in restricted areas, deploying forces in prohibited locations, and other breaches that remain unaddressed—both by Lebanon and Israel.
Given this situation, the IDF representatives made it clear to committee members that the IDF would not be able to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon at the end of the 60-day ceasefire period as initially planned.
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