Illustrative image. (Israeli Defense Forces)
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed on April 17 that it carried out a special operation in southern Lebanon during which troops seized control of a strategic ridge right before the ceasefire with Hezbollah entered into effect.
The ten-day ceasefire was announced by United States President Donald Trump a day earlier. It entered into effect right at midnight local time.
In a statement, the IDF said that the Israeli Air Force’s elite Shaldag unit landed at the so-called Cristofani Ridge, some 12 kilometers north of Mount Hermon, and established control in the area.
Shaldag, officially known as Unit 5101, is part of the 7th Special Air Forces Wing and is based in the Palmachim Air Base to the south of the city of Tel Aviv. It specializes in clandestine operation, combat search and rescue, commando style raids, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, long-range penetration, military intelligence operations, special operations, and special reconnaissance within enemy territory.
The unit landed in the area just minutes before the ceasefire took effect, according to the IDF. The operation was approved by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who observed the operation alongside IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar at the IAF’s command center.
The Cristofani Ridge overlooks both southern Lebanon and the eastern governorate of Beqaa, which gives the IDF the fire control over most Hezbollah strongholds in both regions.
Click to see full-size image. (Israeli Defense Forces)
Since the start of the ceasefire, there have been several reports of violations by the IDF. Lebanese media even said that one man was killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a motorcycle between the southern towns of Kounine and Beit Yahoun.
There is no immediate comment from the IDF on the incident, minutes after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Israel was “PROHIBITED” from bombing Lebanon.
“This deal [with Iran] is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner. Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the USA. Enough is enough,” he added.
The terms of the ceasefire do allow Israel to carry out defensive strikes against “planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” Hezbollah also gets to conduct such operations.
The group welcomed the ceasefire, but warned that it is keeping its “finger on the trigger” in the event of violations by the Israel.
“The mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance carried out an average of 49 operations daily. Despite its intelligence apparatus and brutal firepower, the Israeli killing machine could not deter them from rising up and continuing their national, humanitarian, and religious duty to protect and defend their homeland and people,” Hezbollah said in a statement.
“These mujahideen will remain vigilant, ready to defend themselves against the enemy’s treachery and betrayal. Their pledge to the Secretary-General of the Resistance, Qassem, and to its honorable, proud, and sacrificing people, is that they will remain true to their covenant until their last breath, and their banner will never fall,” it added.
The ceasefire will likely hold up, even if Israel carried out more violations. Nevertheless, there are no guarantees that will be extended after ten days.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun are set to travel soon to the U.S. to meet with Trump. The U.S. is pressuring towards a full-on peace deal, but such a move could be very costly for the Lebanese government, as many in the country from all sides oppose normalization.
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this weekend israel will continue to raipe iran just like we did during ramadan. jejeje
israel can’t fight that’s her problem. low ranking european colonial military force.
i’d give the israelis 2 days against the ukrainians. they have the material support of the us and most of western europe but struggle against guerilla forces. if they were contiguous to iran i would give them one day.
iran has 25 million volunteers registered for military service
this seems so typical of israel. never following laws and agreements. any possible loop hole must be attempted. i am sure israel is following all un mandated laws mandating welfare responsibilities for the residents of gaza.