From Mount Hermon to Shebaa Farms: Israel expands operations along northern heights

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

The Israeli army has introduced a new combat approach along its northern front, conducting specialized commando operations stretching from the occupied Mount Hermon to the disputed Shebaa Farms.

According to the army, an operation carried out by the elite Alpinist Unit under the Mountain Brigade aimed to prevent armed groups from establishing positions near the border. Israeli officials described the mission as a complex and significant step in efforts against Hezbollah.

The military said the unit crossed rugged border terrain from the highest peaks of Mount Hermon into the Shebaa Farms area, conducting wide sweeps, gathering intelligence, and locating Hezbollah infrastructure hidden in caves and mountainous slopes where Lebanese and Syrian borders intersect.

The operation involved specialized equipment designed for harsh terrain and took into account the possible ambushes that Hezbollah fighters may have set in the area.

The development comes as a security assessment suggested Israeli forces could remain in Lebanon for months or even years, seeking to impose a broad security belt extending to the Litani River until Hezbollah is disarmed.

However, some analysts have warned of the risks of prolonged military engagement, which could strain Israeli forces over time and potentially lead to intensified attacks.

Despite Israeli claims that the number of rockets fired from Lebanon and Iran has declined, large areas of Israel continue to come under rocket fire. Some projectiles, including cluster-type munitions, have caused casualties and damage in Haifa and surrounding areas.

In the south, an Iranian missile reportedly struck a chemical facility in Neot Hovav, close to Beersheba, raising concerns over the targeting of sensitive industrial sites.