Security establishment estimates Hezbollah may attempt to escalate in coming period

The IDF continues striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and the security establishment is assessing whether the organization intends to escalate in the coming period, given a series of operations it has conducted and increasing attempts to harm IDF forces across Lebanon.

Northern Command is currently preparing to complete entrenchment and reorganization of forces in the Yellow Line area. According to the report, the IDF has completed destruction of all Hezbollah infrastructure in the area and is now working to build an extensive line of positions throughout the sector in the depth of Lebanese territory.

In a series of strikes conducted in recent days, Hezbollah fighters were eliminated. The Chief of Staff visited Northern Command and approved several plans to entrench the new defense line, which also include option for offensive operations if Hezbollah attempts to escalate.

According to sources from Lebanese military who spoke last week with United Arab Emirates news site Arram News, Hezbollah has in recent times transferred precision missiles, air defense systems, weapons and ammunition to villages west of the Yellow Line, in areas south of the Litani, amid its declining ability to continue holding several of its strategic sites, particularly the area around Jebel Ali Taher. According to them, some weapons were dispersed to new points within several towns and villages, including near destroyed homes and buildings.

A senior Lebanese military source told Arram News that Hezbollah is facing a "strategic problem" after several of the mountain routes and passages that allowed it to move its fighters between sites were exposed, alongside destruction of tunnels that enabled the organization to move, hide and reach front lines without being exposed above ground.