The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, and the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, held a joint situational assessment yesterday (Thursday) in southern Lebanon with the Northern Command commander, the 91st Division commander, and other commanders.
Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar addressed the increasing presence of Hamas in Lebanon during a situational assessment: "The State of Israel cannot protect its residents from terrorists only with a security line in the mall and against missiles only by building protected rooms." It should be in the terrorists' nests and on the production lines. Therefore, on the border of peace – defense on the side of the border. On the brink of war – Defense on both sides of the border with freedom of action.
According to him, "In recent years, we have seen Hamas establishing itself in Lebanon, and it will increase because they have left Gaza and the investment will be there." We will continue to chase them everywhere. We will always remember the massacre of October 7th and ensure that they remember the lesson of October 8th.
During the visit, the Chief of Staff said: "We are currently with seven manoeuvring divisions, three in Gaza – southern Gaza Strip, central Gaza Strip, northern Gaza Strip, four divisions are working here, manoeuvring, and the IDF is operating in many other places, with ground forces and air forces, with intelligence, with special operations, in many sectors."
He also added, "We continue to fight the enemy and we will not stop until we understand that we know how to bring back the residents, not only in terms of security now, but also in looking to the future. And if someone comes to rebuild these villages again, they will say it's not worth building terrorist infrastructure because the IDF will destroy that village again." They are operating in all sectors, both in the Bekaa and in Beirut, both north of the Litani and south of the Litani, and all these things are working very strongly. What you are doing here is the most important component for bringing back the residents. So look, special days and holidays, and we are all focused on action so that the residents of the State of Israel can celebrate the holidays and for years to come be here in safety.
