On Thursday, after Israeli and Lebanese governments had met in Washington, an IDF officer was killed in an anti-tank missile strike by Hezbollah, which has rejected any ceasefire proposals. The Times of Israel reports that fighting has continued this week, with Hezbollah’s chief engineer being eliminated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he does not plan to call a vote on a ceasefire of any kind until Hezbollah has agreed to it and stops launching attacks on the IDF and northern Israel.
On Friday, the IDF issued new evacuation warnings for nine villages and towns in southern Lebanon, ahead of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah.
Residents of Aarnaya, Aanqoun and Kfar Fila were instructed to evacuate at least a kilometer away.
Later, the army issued a separate statement warning residents of Sarafand, Tefahta, Babliyeh, Qaaqaaiyet al-Snoubar, Merouaniyeh and Saksakiyeh to head north of the Zahrani River.
“In light of the Hezbollah terror organization’s violations of the ceasefire agreement and its targeting of Israel’s home front, the IDF is forced to act against it with force, especially in your areas. The IDF does not intend to harm you,” warned army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee.
The IDF has identified the fallen IDF officer as Cpt. Eitan Shmuel Lemberg, 21, of the 7th Armored Brigade’s 75th Battalion. Yesterday evening, the Mishmar HaShiv’a native was operating with his unit in southern Lebanon near the Litani River when an anti-tank missile was fired by a Hezbollah operative, with the IDF striking the location from which it was fired in response.
The ceasefire plan between Jerusalem and Beirut called for the Lebanese army to enact pilot zones in the southern region of the country from which both Hezbollah and the IDF would withdraw. The terror group has called the talks a “farce” and has rejected the proposal. However, Donald Trump said that Hezbollah had not given an official rejection and that talks are still ongoing.
The Fellowship and our supporters pray for the family of Eitan Shmuel Lemberg and the men and women of the IDF stationed in southern Lebanon in the line of Hezbollah fire. May they be protected and may shalom, peace, finally come to the region.
