Reservists stationed along the northern border report a long series of permits they are required to pass before opening fire on terrorist squads. According to the same and other sources, in most cases permission is obtained to fire at these armed squads, but there were several cases in which the authorization was not granted, and the armed squads identified in advance fired at Israel, possibly causing casualties.
"It's just delusional and very frustrating for the commanders," said a source serving in the sector. "They don't give freedom of action. There is a feeling that the officials were not in the incident, because on more than one occasion the same squad that they did not allow us to take down fired at us a few hours later. It endangers the forces, and has happened more than once."
The IDF attacked a terrorist squad that tried to fire anti-tank missiles at an outpost on the Lebanese border // Photo: IDF Spokesperson
It should already be noted that in most cases the IDF does authorize soldiers to attack armed squads that intend to fire at Israel, and the IDF Spokesperson has even published documentation of such incidents. It should also be noted that the IDF has conducted a significant learning process, and has greatly improved its conduct along the northern border in a way that has greatly reduced the number of Israeli casualties along the border in recent days, and even led to the injury of armed squads prior to the shooting. At the same time, the army also admits that the considerations on the northern border are complex, and that it is in Israel's interest not to escalate and expand the fighting in the north.
As is known, since the beginning of the fighting there has been a significant escalation on the northern border, but at this stage the fighting is very limited, focusing mainly on the line of contact. During the 21 days of fighting in the south, more than 60 anti-tank missiles were fired at Israel from Lebanon, as well as several hundred mortar shells. There have also been several attempts to infiltrate Israel, and in some cases even launching drones into Israel, and Hezbollah attempting to intercept Israeli aircraft. During this period, six soldiers and one civilian were killed on the northern border.
Out of an interest in maintaining the main battlefield in the south of the country, Israel is trying to do everything possible not to escalate the situation in the north and delimit it. Barring an exceptional event of magnitude, such as a large number of dead or even abductees, Israel is likely to continue this policy at least as long as it concentrates on the campaign in the south.
Defense Minister Galant: "There will also be additional stages in the campaign, I am determined to bring victory" // Photo: Defense Minister Media
As of now, no one in Israel can determine whether Hezbollah will join Hamas later in the campaign and expand the confrontation with Israel. A significant test point is likely to be in the coming days, if and when the IDF eventually begins its ground maneuvers into the Gaza Strip. In light of the severity of the situation, the IDF decided to completely evacuate the communities adjacent to the fence on the northern border, as well as Kiryat Shmona, until further notice.
Very senior sources point out that the maneuver in Gaza is not a question of if, but when, and even the Americans understand this. At the moment, a major effort is underway to reach the same prisoner deal, but senior Israeli officials estimate that the chances of it being implemented are very low to none, and note that it is impossible to continue playing into the hands of Hamas, which releases brief prisoners every few days to postpone the Israeli maneuver.
The IDF Spokesperson's response: "The allegations are baseless. Since the beginning of the war, the IDF has attacked and eliminated dozens of terrorist squads. Whenever a threat is identified, IDF forces act immediately to remove it."
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