As Iran and the United States move closer to formally signing a ceasefire agreement, Israeli newspaper Maariv has reported growing confusion within Israel’s military and security establishment regarding the future of military operations in Lebanon.
In a report by military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi, the newspaper stated that the Israeli security establishment is experiencing a state of uncertainty and disarray.
According to the report, even by Monday afternoon, the Israeli military and security agencies remained unsure about the direction military operations in Lebanon would take in the coming days.
Air Strike Follows Hours of Calm
Maariv reported that after an extended period of calm along the northern front, the Israeli Air Force carried out a strike targeting a Hezbollah member in the Wadi al Saluki area.
An Israeli military source claimed the operation was intended to eliminate what he described as an immediate threat to Israeli forces.
“We continue to operate in the Yellow Line area and are carrying out sweeps and raids in the villages adjacent to it,” the source said.
“But we do not know where things are heading. We are waiting for instructions from the political leadership.”
The source added that the military is currently preparing for every possible scenario.
“At the moment, we are preparing plans for all possibilities: continuing the fighting and escalating it, maintaining our current positions, or withdrawing forces. We are waiting for instructions from higher authorities and, until then, we continue to carry out the missions assigned to us.”
Two Divisions Still Operating Inside Lebanon
According to the same source, two Israeli military divisions are currently operating inside Lebanon: the 91st Division and the 36th Division.
He noted that the pace of fighting in Lebanon has declined significantly since the morning hours.
The source also claimed that Hezbollah has refrained from firing at Israeli forces and has not launched attack drones or unmanned aerial vehicles during this period.
“The army is operating according to plans approved by the leadership several days ago,” he said.
“We have conducted operational assessments within the division, and so far we have not received any instructions to alter our assigned missions.”
Awaiting Political Decisions
Sources within the Israeli military told Maariv that the Air Force has not carried out any strikes in Lebanon since the previous night.
Meanwhile, artillery units conducted shelling during the day for what the sources described as operational reasons.
The newspaper said that Israel’s military and security establishment is now awaiting decisions from the political leadership regarding the next phase.
Current assessments indicate that the Israeli military will continue operating within the Yellow Line area.
Maariv added that the army could also receive orders to encircle the city of Nabatieh, where the 36th Division is currently active in the surrounding areas.
In recent days, residents have reportedly been instructed to evacuate the area, while Israeli forces have carried out operations in several villages located on the outskirts of the city.
