Lebanese government orders army to avoid fighting Israel's ground assault

Despite internal pressure within Lebanon against Hezbollah and intensified diplomatic contacts to compel Israel to halt its assaults, especially after the Lebanese government banned the party's military and security activities, Hezbollah announced early Tuesday a series of operations against Israeli positions. 

These developments are central for Lebanese officials during the cabinet session on Monday. In addition to the non-opposition of the two ministers from the Amal Movement, to the cabinet decisions, there appears to be a notable rift between the allies over the approach to war, and a heated discussion reportedly took place regarding the Lebanese army's plan in the event of an Israeli ground incursion.

According to sources, most attendees supported avoiding army engagement with the Israeli forces, citing insufficient military capacity. This angered Hezbollah-linked ministers, who viewed it as a move to disarm the party while simultaneously giving Israel free rein to enter and occupy additional Lebanese territories.

The Lebanese army commander reportedly outlined on-the-ground realities and challenges, posed questions on how units would respond to a ground incursion, and discussed possible options. It had recently reinforced deployments at certain sites, established new checkpoints, and intensified its presence as part of its exclusive arms strategy south of the Litani River.

There was a previous order for the army to resist any ground incursion, but political authorities decided the situation could not sustain confrontation and instructed no engagement with the Israeli army.

Yesterday, the Israeli army announced the launch of forward defence operations in northern towns.

"In parallel with its activity under Operation 'Roar of the Lion', the 91st Division operates in southern Lebanon, positioned at several strategic points in the area," the statement said. Israeli forces, including a tank and three bulldozers, advanced from the settlement toward the Tel al-Nahas area between Kfarkela and Borj al-Muluk in southern Lebanon.

Additional incursions were reported in towns including Aita al-Shaab, Yaroun, and Tel al-Nahas after the Lebanese army vacated some positions.

Senior Lebanese military sources told The New Arab that "the army did not withdraw from border positions but is repositioning certain newly established points due to Israeli escalation to protect soldiers, who are now in their company command centres."

Hezbollah resumed operations against Israeli military sites Tuesday morning, signalling a renewed cycle of conflict roughly 15 months after a declared flawed ceasefire. Field indicators suggest the new confrontation could differ from previous engagements, with Israel employing more intense, expansive strikes and positioning in strategic southern locations, amid reports of territorial expansion into Lebanese lands.

Aoun meets 'Quintet' 

Politically, Lebanon's current president Joseph Aoun briefed ambassadors of the "Quintet" countries—the United States, Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—on security developments and cabinet decisions taken on Monday.

Aoun emphasised that the decision to "reserve the authority over war and peace solely to the Lebanese state, banning illegal military and security activities, is sovereign and final."

He stressed that "the cabinet tasked the army and security forces with implementing these measures nationwide."

Aoun urged the Quintet nations to pressure Israel to halt attacks on Lebanon, underlining the cabinet's commitment to ceasefire obligations and readiness to resume negotiations with civil participation and international supervision.

"Lebanon relies heavily on the Quintet's support, noting its role in preventing security deterioration, resolving the presidential vacancy, and restoring constitutional institutions, emphasising that regional stability depends on Lebanon's stability," he said.

Aoun also noted that rocket launches toward occupied territories on Monday "originated outside the south Litani region, where the Lebanese army is fully deployed."

On Monday, 3 March, the cabinet banned Hezbollah from military or security activity, restricting the party to political work. Hezbollah responded through the parliamentary bloc leader, asserting, "We understand the Lebanese government's right to make decisions on war and peace, but it has no authority to impose restrictions on Lebanese citizens rejecting occupation."

For his part, the Egyptian ambassador, Alaa Mousa, said Aoun presented a comprehensive assessment of the current situation and Lebanon's approach to recent developments. Discussions focused on the Quintet's role in mitigating further damage, the army’s operational measures, and preserving stability.

"The five countries support the Lebanese state in this sensitive phase, emphasising adherence to government decisions and respecting the state's exclusive authority over war and peace," Mousa affirmed, further highlighting that "diplomacy remains the primary path forward."

He added that the army and internal security support conference, initially scheduled for 5 March in Paris, was postponed to April due to current conditions and stressed that "everyone is called upon to work toward calming tensions and freezing the ongoing escalation."

When asked about the stance on the cabinet decisions, including the ban on Hezbollah's military and security activities, Mousa remarked, "We confirmed that all three presidential offices fully support the decisions, showing no contradictions in positions."

Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.