Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in an interview with Radio North that he does not trust the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah. He stated that the responsibility for ensuring the group is disarmed cannot be left to state authorities in Lebanon. Consequently, Israeli forces will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed. This policy maintains a military presence in the area to address ongoing security concerns. Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that this measure is necessary to prevent the group from operating near the border. The decision establishes a long-term deployment strategy for the Israel Defense Forces within the designated region. Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly stated in this same interview with Radio North that he does not trust the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing that the state authorities are insufficient for this specific security requirement.
Military Readiness and Deployments
The Israel Defense Forces placed the 36th and 91st divisions on high operational readiness on 18 October, according to a report from the Israeli newspaper Maariv. On 18 October, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the Israel Defense Forces placed the 36th and 91st divisions on high operational readiness. Military officials authorized the deployment of these two divisions across the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon to reinforce existing positions. The Israeli military deployed two divisions in the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon to bolster existing defensive lines and strategic control. These units remain positioned to conduct operations within the designated sectors as part of the broader military posture in the region. The move follows concerns regarding the security situation near the border areas where these forces are currently stationed. Command structures within the Israel Defense Forces continue to manage these assets to ensure the units maintain their current state of preparation.
Ongoing Operations in Lebanon
Israeli forces conducted artillery fire on Al-Mansouri and the outskirts of Zibqin in the Tyre Governorate. These strikes targeted specific sectors within the region as part of ongoing military activity. Separately, the Israel Defense Forces destroyed the Al-Mabarat school building in Khiam. The structure was demolished during operations in that area. The Israeli forces destroyed the Al-Mabarat school building in Khiam as part of the tactical operations conducted within that specific sector.
Maariv reported that Hezbollah is recruiting new members and strengthening defensive positions in the Beqaa Valley, on the coast, and in Beirut’s southern suburbs. According to the newspaper, these efforts are occurring across multiple locations as the group attempts to consolidate its presence. The report indicates that these defensive preparations include the intake of additional personnel in these specific zones. These logistical and defensive maneuvers by the group are being monitored closely by command elements as they solidify their presence in the Beqaa Valley, the coast, and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
