Defense Minister Yisrael Katz spoke out during his visit to Israel’s north. There he made it clear that Israel may not leave southern Lebanon before the ceasefire deadline, which finishes four days after Trump’s inauguration.
“Israel is interested in the implementation of the agreement in Lebanon and will continue to enforce it fully and without compromise to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes – but the first condition for the implementation of the agreement is the complete withdrawal of the terrorist organization Hezbollah across the Litani River, the dismantling of all weapons and the destruction of the terrorist infrastructure in the region by the Lebanese army – something that has not yet happened.”
“If this condition is not met – there will be no agreement – and Israel will be forced to act on its own to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes.
“We will not allow a renewed threat to be created against the northern communities and the citizens of the State of Israel.”
Evidence shows that the IDF is not waiting for the ceasefire to break down but rather already building forward position in various areas – essentially reshaping southern Lebanon in preparation for part two of its war against Hezbollah and liberation of Lebanon from Shiite occupation.
Lebanese media outlets report that the IDF has resumed ground operations in the village of Taybeh in southern Lebanon (4 km west of Metula). The Lebanese also report that the IDF has erected earthen embankments to block the road leading from Qantara to Taybeh. Lebanese media continued to report that the IDF has also opened a breach in the border fence in the Metula area and has begun paving a road from this point towards the Khiam Plain (Sahl al-Khiam).
Israel’s goal is clearly to set in motion a fracturing of Lebanon into two different areas – south of the Litani – including the Druze areas will be a protectorate of Israel in the same way the Druze areas of the Syrian Hermon seem to becoming. All of this is heading towards a realization that the artificial boundaries formulated buy the British and French in 1916 are now falling apart.
The incoming Trump administrations understands this and is seen as favoring a real restructuring of boundaries in the Middle East. Expect Israel to be bolstered and supported in its push towards stabilizing its boundaries for the long term. In doing so, Israel will not only find security but provide security to Druze and Christians within its security envelope. More than that – the growing under the table alliance with the Kurds will continue to develop and hold back the coming Turkish drive for regional dominance.