Northern Command forces are continuing operations in southern Lebanon to remove terrorist threats and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, in accordance with understandings between Israel and Lebanon and to preserve operational achievements in the region.
As part of the activity earlier this week, a vehicle containing Hezbollah terrorist operatives approached IDF forces operating in southwestern Lebanon and posed a threat to the force working to remove it.
Additionally, Northern Command Commander, Major General Uri Gordin conducted a tour in southern Lebanon last night (Monday) and held a situation assessment with commanders in the field.
The IDF said that it will act to remove any threat to Israeli citizens and IDF forces.
Watch the IDF in action here (Source: IDF Spokesperson):
The Trump administration recently agreed to allow the ceasefire deadline to be extended from January 26 to February 18. As part of this deal, Israel will negotiate the release of Hezbollah terrorists taken prisoner during the ground operation.
Israel said repeatedly during the original 60-day period allotted by the ceasefire for IDF withdrawal that the Lebanese Army was not deploying fast enough and in sufficient strength in southern Lebanon for the IDF to be able to fully withdraw.
While the Lebanese Army is supposed to disarm all non-state militias in southern Lebanon in accordance with UN Resolution 1701, including Hezbollah, it has encountered problems such as insufficient manpower and the diversion of some of its forces to protect the Syrian border.
In addition, senior and junior officers sympathetic to Hezbollah have reportedly leaked critical information regarding the IDF's movements and other sensitive info, making IDF withdrawal much more precarious. Hezbollah itself has reportedly violated the agreement "hundreds" of times in trying to move armed terrorists and weapons into southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah activists have reportedly been working to push southern Lebanese residents to try and force their way into IDF-held villages despite repeat warnings not to do so, resulting in deadly clashes.
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