Israeli plan to demolish the first row of houses in Lebanese border villages
The Israel Broadcasting Authority published a report revealing that the political leadership in Tel Aviv has approved a military plan to demolish the first row of houses in Lebanese villages adjacent to the border with Israel. The move is expected to coincide with political negotiations with Lebanon, with the aim of exerting direct pressure on the Lebanese government to curb the influence of Hezbollah.
According to the report, sources familiar with the details of the plan said that “Israel intends to carry out systematic demolition operations targeting buildings close to the border, in parallel with a negotiating track with the Lebanese side.” The same sources indicated that Tel Aviv believes this step could push the Lebanese state to take stricter measures to limit Hezbollah’s activity in border areas.
The sources added that residents of Lebanese villages near the border have already evacuated large parts of those areas, which would facilitate the demolition operations. After completing the destruction of the first row of houses, Israel plans to deploy military forces in those border areas.
According to the report, Hezbollah is betting that the Israeli army did not operate extensively during the previous war along the second and third lines of villages in southern Lebanon, which allowed part of its military infrastructure to remain intact, particularly inside private properties that the Lebanese army has not fully addressed.
In the event of a ground maneuver, Hezbollah is expected to rely on tactics including anti-tank missiles, improvised explosive devices, and guerrilla warfare, in addition to carrying out surprise attacks against Israeli forces.
The report also noted that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem emphasized the demand for the release of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons, raising the possibility that the group may seek to capture Israeli soldiers to use as a bargaining chip in negotiations.
Regarding the impact of any ground escalation on the initiative launched by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to begin direct negotiations with Israel, the report quoted a Western source in Beirut as saying that the Lebanese leadership appears determined to push forward with this path, while at the same time facing conflicting pressures that complicate the internal political situation.
