South Lebanon (QNN)- Haaretz reported that Israeli military sources say their current mission in southern Lebanon centers on one goal: continued destruction. According to these sources, the plan leaves no room for other operations and calls for demolishing everything in targeted areas. Field testimonies cited by the newspaper describe a campaign that prioritizes large-scale damage over direct combat, raising concerns about the nature and scope of ongoing military assaults.
A soldier who has served in Lebanon for the third time since the events of October 7, 2023, told the newspaper that conditions have worsened compared to earlier deployments. He said the army previously had broader freedom to carry out attacks across southern Lebanon, while current rules of engagement impose tighter limits. At the same time, he noted that Hezbollah continues to fire intensively, while Israeli forces can only respond in cases of clear and immediate threats. This imbalance, he suggested, has reshaped how troops operate on the ground.
The report highlights that a key part of Israeli activity in southern Lebanon now focuses on systematic demolition rather than frontline fighting. Soldiers described how units often secure areas for destruction crews rather than engage in direct clashes. One soldier said commanders tasked troops with protecting demolition operations carried out by bulldozers and excavators operated by civilian contractors working in multiple areas. He added that these contracting companies profit based on the number of homes they destroy, pointing to a growing role for private actors in the campaign.
The current escalation traces back to late February, when a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28 killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The attack triggered a regional retaliation, with Hezbollah launching rockets toward Israel on March 2. Israel attacked Lebanon with a wide aerial bombardment campaign and a ground incursion into the south.
Despite a temporary ceasefire reached on April 16 between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli forces have continued to intensify operations. Airstrikes and artillery shelling have targeted multiple areas in southern Lebanon, signaling that the truce has failed to hold on the ground. The ongoing attacks, combined with reports of systematic destruction, suggest that the conflict remains far from de-escalation.
