❗️Israel openly abandons initial goal of ‘disarming Hezbollah,’ shifts strategy to containment and ‘buffer zones’ – The Cradle

 ❗️Israel openly abandons initial goal of ‘disarming Hezbollah,’ shifts strategy to containment and ‘buffer zones’

Based on reports by Ynet, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, and Israel National News, among others, Israel has effectively abandoned its initial objective of fully disarming Hezbollah, now describing the goal as unrealistic under current conditions.

Israeli army officials acknowledge that dismantling Hezbollah would require a full-scale occupation of Lebanon and the ability to reach every village, an undertaking they are neither prepared nor willing to pursue. Instead, the stated aim has now shifted toward weakening the resistance movement’s capabilities and establishing a “defensive” reality along the border, reflecting a recalibration after weeks of sustained rocket fire and ongoing ground confrontations in southern Lebanon.

In place of disarmament, the Israeli army is now reportedly advancing a strategy centered on creating so-called “buffer zones” and degrading Hezbollah’s operational infrastructure. Plans include seizing and holding terrain up to the Litani River, demolishing structures in frontline villages suspected of hosting resistance activity, and establishing layered “security zones” extending several kilometers into Lebanese territory. Military officials have emphasized a transition toward “mobile defense” rather than long term static occupation, while continuing attacks on infrastructure, weapons depots, and senior operatives.

At the same time, Israeli forces report ongoing incursions involving multiple divisions in southern Lebanon, with efforts allegedly focused on pushing Hezbollah fighters northward, disrupting rocket and anti tank launch capabilities, and attempts at consolidating control over key terrain. The broader objective, according to officials, is to reduce threats to the north while avoiding deeper entanglement, even as cross border fire and clashes persist.

READ FULL ARTICLE: This article originally appeared on The Cradle

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