Lebanon
A funeral for Hashem Safieddine, who had been elected to succeed Nasrallah before he, too, was eliminated by Israel, is to be held the same day.
“I suggest that the successor of Nasrallah’s successor not make a mistake,” the Israeli defense minister said.
The move is part of a broader plan to counter the threat from Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Hezbollah has suffered several major setbacks since Oct. 8, 2023, and significant changes seem to be occurring within Lebanon’s Shi’ite community and the terror group itself.
Hezbollah’s reconnaissance drone incursion was the first time since the truce began that it sent an unmanned aerial vehicle over the border.
The IDF remains determined to operate in accordance with the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon, it said.
In his first interview since the outbreak of the war, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin confirmed that 70% of Hezbollah’s firepower has been destroyed.
Hezbollah recently handed over control of a large underground compound near Tyre to the Lebanese Armed Forces, according to Arab media reports.
“What comes after the period given for Israel’s withdrawal? Israel has to withdraw because the 60 days are over. We do not accept any justification to extend for one moment or one day,” said Naim Qassem.
“We will not allow a return to the reality of the 7th of October,” the Israeli defense minister wrote.
The Lebanese army’s intelligence chief for Southern Lebanon reportedly handed Hezbollah secrets from inside a war room run by the U.S., France and UNIFIL.
The Lebanese, Israeli and U.S. governments “will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after Oct. 7, 2023.”
