The pilot program in Lebanon is increasingly looking like a failure, with potentially serious security consequences for Israel. More than 100 days have passed since the IDF handed control of three villages in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army, but Hezbollah is gradually returning to the areas it evacuated.
Instead of the gradual dismantling of Hezbollah's infrastructure and the expansion of Lebanese army control, the terrorist organization is managing to return to the area, reactivate parts of its civilian networks and reestablish its influence among the local population.
As the results of the pilot become increasingly clear, the IDF has struck suspects approaching its forces in Lebanon for the first time in several weeks. The military deployed a Zik drone against two suspects riding a motorcycle in the southern Lebanese village of Qabrikha, killing at least one of them. The man killed was identified as Nasr Mohammed Younes, a medical team member with the Amal movement's Risala Scouts. The relatively unusual targeted strike was the first in several weeks against suspects who, according to Israeli security officials, posed an immediate threat to troops by approaching too closely. The incident comes alongside the IDF's ongoing strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure.
Against the backdrop of the pilot's apparent failure is political uncertainty in both Israel and the United States. Talks between the parties over a mechanism to monitor the agreement have been stalled for months, and there is still no agreement on how to ensure that the Lebanese army is actually dismantling Hezbollah's infrastructure. Israeli officials say the Lebanese army is not conducting sufficient searches and, as previously reported, is avoiding entering private homes or searching private property.
The IDF, meanwhile, continues to hold defensive positions, although with significantly fewer troops than during the ground maneuver and the period leading up to the demolition of the tunnel network beneath the Ali al-Taher Ridge in early September. Troops continue clearing the area and preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting. Since completing operations on the ridge, the forces have shifted to a defensive deployment, with a much smaller presence than during the period of intensive operations.
Hezbollah is exploiting this period to rebuild its capabilities, bring operatives back into the area and gather intelligence on IDF forces. The military does not disclose details about the devices it intercepts along the northern border, but at least some are believed to be Hezbollah drones used for reconnaissance and surveillance.
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