In Lebanon, Israeli military operations are evolving, but it remains unclear whether there has been a significant strategic breakthrough for the Israeli state, despite claims from Ori Gordin, the head of the Northern Command of the Israeli army.
On Monday, he asserted that residents of northern Israel could begin returning home within "a few weeks." This statement pertains to roughly 68,000 individuals who had fled their homes amid the escalating clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured them of a safe return as part of his war objectives.
Furthermore, four "closed military zones" in the northwest of the country (those of Rosh Hanikra, Shlomi, Hanita and Arab al-Aramche) have been established, as reported by Israeli forces on Monday evening. Prior to these zones, three others (Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi) were closed to access on September 30.
While surprising, General Gordin's announcement seems to suggest that Israel anticipates a significant reduction in the immediate threat posed by Hezbollah. This optimistic outlook, as explained by a military expert interviewed by This is Beirut, may stem from several factors: first, it could reflect a "rapid and decisive advance by the Israeli army in ground operations, particularly in destroying missile launch infrastructures and Hezbollah's underground tunnels," he notes.
Neutralizing these offensive capabilities would enable Israelis to restore a level of security in the border areas. Additionally, "Israel may be banking on a regional de-escalation or diplomatic pressures that could force Hezbollah to halt its attacks," he adds.