A fragile front: Israel steps up operations in Lebanon

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar

Israel is intensifying military operations in Lebanon while awaiting what officials describe as potential approval from U.S. President Donald Trump to expand its campaign.

Israeli forces have moved beyond what is referred to as the “yellow line,” a boundary that has already shifted during the ceasefire period, and are operating with authorization from Israel’s political leadership, including the prime minister and defense minister.

The security cabinet has reportedly faced disagreements between political and military officials, following the rejection of military proposals aimed at decisively concluding the campaign in Lebanon.

Despite the internal divisions, the army has called up reservists and begun training based on existing operational plans in preparation for a possible large-scale escalation, pending U.S. approval.

At the same time, the expanded security cabinet held heated discussions in which several ministers rejected what they described as a policy of “appeasement toward Lebanon.” They called for ending negotiations and maintaining separation between the Lebanon and Iran fronts to preserve military freedom of action from southern Lebanon to Beirut.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to balance possible U.S. backing with growing pressure from the military and residents of northern Israel.

A military official said current operational plans include targeted assassinations of political and field commanders, including Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, as well as strikes on sites allegedly linked to Hezbollah across multiple Lebanese cities, including Nabatieh, Tyre, Sidon, Tripoli, Beirut, and the Bekaa region.

The military continues to address the threat of explosive drones, which Hezbollah has said it is capable of deploying at night.

Meanwhile, northern Israel has returned to a wartime state of alert, with about one million residents spending significant time in shelters and safe rooms amid concerns over drone attacks.