Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli media have revealed an advanced level of military coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv. American officers are currently monitoring ongoing Israeli military operations against targets in Lebanon from within Israeli command rooms.
The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that American officers are present at the Northern Command headquarters in the city of Safed. They are actively involved in monitoring and coordinating operations targeting sites suspected of being linked to Hezbollah. The channel added that every operation carried out in Lebanon is conducted after close consultations with the American side.
This intensive field coordination comes amid ongoing near-daily Israeli airstrikes in the north, while a “fragile” ceasefire prevails in the Gaza Strip. The channel’s military correspondent noted that the coordination includes a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and assess developments. He emphasized that the Israeli army is continuing its operations in the absence of any progress on disarming Hezbollah.
On the other hand, diplomatic sources reported that no change is expected in Israel’s current strategy toward Lebanon. Security operations and airstrikes continue, which Israel justifies as “ensuring the protection of northern settlements,” despite Lebanon’s categorical rejection of these attacks.
UNIFIL prepares to reduce its presence and end its mandate
On another note, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced that it has begun preparations to gradually hand over its duties to the Lebanese Army. This is in preparation for the expiration of its mandate at the end of September 2026, in accordance with a UN Security Council resolution.
UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell noted that the mission is facing the challenge of a 15% cut in the UN budget, which will impact the number of peacekeepers. Ardell explained that UNIFIL has begun developing a plan to return some of its soldiers to their countries, stressing that the process will begin in the coming weeks and months, commensurate with the budget cut.
It is noteworthy that the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel entered into force in November 2024. However, Israel did not commit to a full withdrawal from the areas it occupied in southern Lebanon, and maintained its presence in five strategic points.
