[97481] Tension in Lebanon: Frustration in the Israeli Army and reports of American pressure for withdrawal from the south of the country
[97481] Tension in Lebanon: Frustration in the Israeli Army and reports of American pressure for withdrawal from the south of the country
Reports of unrest in the military echelons in Israel amid international pressures for a withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the transfer of control to the Lebanese army.
Growing tension: Frustration in the ranks of the IDF and reports of American pressure for withdrawal
According to reports in Al Jazeera citing IDF sources, there is significant tension between the field and the political echelon in Israel. Military officers have expressed unease regarding the gap between the statements of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Israel Katz regarding "full freedom of action" in Lebanon, and the complex reality on the ground. A report by Haaretz newspaper noted that IDF forces are restricted in opening fire, and that "no authorization for fire was given except in the case of a direct threat."
At the same time, the Wall Street Journal reports on heavy pressure being applied by the American administration on Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. Sources cited in Reuters state that the emerging plan includes handing over control of the territories in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army, which will undergo training by the U.S. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation confirmed that the army is preparing for a limited withdrawal in certain areas, as part of testing the Lebanese army's ability to prevent Hezbollah's return to the area.
In the background, Channel 12 reported on a sharp protest by the parents of soldiers in the Commando Brigade, who addressed a letter to the political and security echelons claiming that their sons have their "hands tied." The parents protested that the war is being conducted without a clear goal and demanded that the government decide the campaign or bring the soldiers home, while demanding that ministers whose children do not serve in the IDF not participate in these decisions.
Sources identified with the Axis of Resistance, led by journalist Hussein Mortada, emphasize the narrative of the "failure of Israeli objectives" and Hezbollah's resilience, while citing estimates that the scope of economic damage caused by Israel in southern Lebanon is valued at 1.38 billion dollars, as published in Quds News Network.