IAF strikes 'Hezbollonians' in Lebanon

On Thursday, an Israeli Air Force drone obliterated a terrorist from Hezbollah’s Radwan Force in Mais al-Jabal, southeastern Lebanon—a precise strike in a region teetering on the edge. This came hot on the heels of the IDF neutralizing another Hezbollah operative, one caught skulking near the border, gathering intelligence with malign intent.

Knesset member Ohad Tal, of the Religious Zionism party, spoke to JNS on Monday with a clarity that cuts through the fog of war. “With regard to Lebanon, I believe the situation is evolving in the right direction,” he declared. And he has reason to think so. Since March, Israel has unleashed over 100 strikes in Lebanon, dispatching roughly 100 Hezbollah fighters into oblivion. Remarkably, Hezbollah has not retaliated. Silence from a group known for its venomous defiance is telling.

Tal points to a broader shift. “Since March alone, we’ve carried out over 100 strikes in Lebanon, eliminating approximately 100 Hezbollah fighters, and they have not responded. Additionally, we’re seeing increasing support within the new Lebanese government for dismantling Hezbollah,” he said. In Beirut, a quiet revolution unfolds: Hezbollah’s flags are being torn down, posters of their slain terror chief Hassan Nasrallah vanish from the streets. “Just a few months ago, these actions would have been unimaginable—but they’re actually happening now,” Tal observed, his words carrying the weight of a man witnessing history pivot.

Behind closed doors, whispers of normalization with Israel are growing louder. Hezbollah’s iron grip on Lebanon is loosening—its power and influence eroding like a sandcastle against the tide. “Behind the scenes, there are even discussions about possible normalization with Israel. Hezbollah is steadily losing its grip on Lebanon, both in terms of power and influence, and I believe that’s a positive development for everyone,” Tal asserted.

He dares to envision a future where Lebanon and Israel might be more than adversaries. “Lebanon and Israel could become good neighbors with shared economic interests. Lebanon is not like some of the other countries in the region; there are secular communities and Christians. Not everyone is a radical Shi’ite Muslim. I believe there is a real opportunity for normal life on both sides of the border. I truly hope we can achieve that,” he said. It’s a bold vision, one that challenges the cynics and demands we consider the possibility of peace in a region long defined by its absence.

Tal’s words are not mere optimism; they are a call to recognize a shifting reality. Hezbollah, once an untouchable force, is faltering. Lebanon, with its mosaic of communities, is not doomed to be a perpetual battleground. The question is whether this moment will be seized—or squandered.

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