Reports out of Lebanon confirm the IDF is now moving north in three different locations: the Lebanese Coast by Chama, Bint Jbeil, and Khiam.
After Hezbollah rejected the ceasefire terms proposed by Israel (that were agreed behind the scenes with both the current Biden administration as well as the incoming Trump team), Israel’s leaders have now decided to finally push forward to the Litani River in hopes that conquering land will force the type of ceasefire that Israel wants.
The IDF’s push north appears to involve a three pronged attack. To the West reports from the Lebanese media confirm that the IDF led a an assault on the critical Hezbollah stronghold of Chama. Intense fighting took place there over night. Chama’s capture will allow the IDF to take the road to the Mediterranean and ultimately the heights on the coast overlooking Mazraat Byout El Saiyad. Hezbollah positions on the coast to the south of this area will be cut from their supply routes and the IDF will be able to quickly reach the outskirts of Tyre.
Further to the east, the IDF has been reported to be advancing on Bint Jbeil. In doing so, it sets the stage for a fierce rematch between the IDF and Hezbollah last seen in 2006 when the IDF was forced to retreat. It appears this time will be different as the IAF has been pounding Hezbollah positions in Bint Jbeil for months. If the IDF can capture Bint Jbeil, the road network that connects south Lebanon to the central part of the Litani River will be in Israel’s hands.
The third part of the ground maneuver under way is in Khiam, just south of the Christian stronghold of Marjaayoun situated right below the Litani River. Khiam is a Shiite occupied village in between Marjaayoun and Metula, the northern most Israeli village. Khiam has been the source of continuous ATGM fire on Metula since last year, effectively rendering the small Israeli town uninhabitable. While the IDF has entered the southern outskirts over the last few weeks, it stopped short of directly attacking and conquering the village. In order for the IDF to reach the Litani River and liberate Marjaayoun from Hezbollah, it is critical to capture Khiam. As of last night and today reports are streaming in on Lebanese media that Israeli forces are currently undertaking a two pronged ground assault and an intense air campaign against Khiam.
Israeli warplanes attacked western Khiam.
Israeli ground forces appear to be intensifying their efforts to reach far enough north to ensure quiet on Israel’s northern villages. Ultimately the only way to do this for the IDF to not only push Hezbollah as far north as possible, but to hold onto these areas permanently. Any attempt to co-opt the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has proven pointless as witnesses on the ground have documented the LAF retreating from combat positions, allowing the IDF to move in.
Trump has insisted that Israel finish up by the time he takes office on January 20th. The only way to do that is for the IDF to push forward with its plan to capture the Litani River first and then clean up and pacify and Hezbollah resistance that remains. Despite the slow moving pace in the beginning of the northern front, the IDF now seems to have focused increased energy and manpower to accomplish a full liberation of the true northern Galilee, today called southern Lebanon.