Fragile truce: Israel weighs next moves on Lebanon front

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

Israeli security agencies are assessing how to manage the front with Lebanon without triggering a full collapse of the fragile ceasefire, amid concerns that the situation along the border could rapidly escalate.

At the same time, an Israeli security assessment has urged the political leadership to take decisive decisions regarding both Lebanon and Iran. The evaluation warned against linking the two fronts to ongoing diplomatic tracks, whether between Tel Aviv and Beirut or between Washington and Tehran, arguing that such a connection could allow Hezbollah and Iran to strengthen their capabilities.

On the ground, the Israeli army has reinforced its presence by deploying five divisions to South Lebanon, effectively separating its military operations from the diplomatic process. Israeli officials maintain that current talks are not aimed at reaching a peace agreement, but rather at securing understandings related to a ceasefire, as the United States pushes to prevent further deterioration along the border.

As Israeli forces operate across wide regions in South Lebanon, a report cited allegations that both regular and reserve soldiers have engaged in looting inside Lebanese homes, including the theft of motorcycles, televisions, and carpets.

The report added that the military leadership is aware of these alleged violations, raising concerns about accountability and what it described as a deterioration in the army's ethical standards.