Zamir: We are preparing for developments on other fronts and Lebanon remains the center of gravity

SadaNews - Israeli Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, stated that the army continues its operations in Lebanon aiming to "strengthen the defense of northern towns" and intensify targeting Hezbollah, considering that any additional "operational achievement" will reflect on the security arrangements being discussed within the framework of negotiations with Beirut, mediated by Washington. In the meantime, the Israeli army carried out an airstrike on the southern suburb of Beirut, which according to initial Lebanese reports resulted in three martyrs and 15 injuries.

Zamir made his remarks during the endorsement of operational plans and conducting discussions with leaders in the Northern Command, where he said that the Israeli army continues to operate in Lebanon through "ground maneuver operations and fire", adding that "every additional operational achievement we accomplish will lead to the continued erosion and disintegration of Hezbollah's southern front and improve the security arrangements to be decided within the framework of negotiations mediated by the U.S. between the political level and the Lebanese government".

Zamir claimed that "all villages in southern Lebanon have turned into a complex network of terrorist infrastructure," adding that Israeli forces operate in the field with "operational superiority" and receive "unlimited fire support from land and air." He said the army will continue to operate "proactively and offensively" and deepen maneuvers as needed, to "remove the threat from northern residents".

Zamir added that the Israeli army is following developments "with a high degree of vigilance and readiness" on various fronts, considering that "the Lebanese arena currently constitutes the main center of gravity" for the Israeli army, while also preparing for potential developments in other arenas.

He also stressed the operational significance of the attack carried out by Israeli forces in the Shuqif area, claiming that it aims to deepen achievements against Hezbollah and deprive it of underground infrastructure and command and control systems, as well as firepower capabilities that it has built over the years.

Zamir alleged that the data discovered by the Israeli forces above and below ground in the Shuqif area and on Tal Ali Taher confirm the "central status" of the area for Hezbollah, adding that the party "brought disaster to the state of Lebanon and the Shia sect", as he expressed.

Prior to these statements, the Israeli army announced conducting an airstrike on the southern suburb of Beirut, stating it targeted a "command headquarters" belonging to Hezbollah. They claimed that the site was used by party members to push plans against Israeli citizens and the Israeli army forces operating in southern Lebanon, noting that the strike came after drones were launched from Lebanon towards "Israeli territory" as they put it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Israel Katz announced in a joint statement that the strike on the southern suburb was carried out under their directive, claiming it was in response to Hezbollah launching drones towards Israel. They stated that Israel "will not tolerate gunfire on its territory".

Lebanese sources reported that the strike targeted the vicinity of the Ghobeiri area in the southern suburb of Beirut, hitting an apartment inside a five-story building. The National News Agency stated that the updated initial toll reached three martyrs and 15 injuries, in addition to significant damage to neighboring buildings and shops, while search and rescue operations continued at the targeted location.

In contrast to the Israeli narrative regarding the targeting of a "command headquarters" through a "precise attack", Israeli reports indicated that the target was an official in Hezbollah's communications system, noting that the results of the strike are still under examination. The Israeli public broadcasting agency reported that the strike was carried out by two warplanes using four precision munitions.

Channel 12 quoted Israeli and American officials stating that the Israeli army informed the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shortly before conducting the strike on the southern suburb of Beirut, while an American official considered that the attack could harm negotiations with Iran.

The airstrike coincided with a wide escalation on the Lebanese front, as the Israeli army had issued warnings to evacuate 29 towns and villages in southern Lebanon and carried out strikes on several towns, while Hezbollah announced carrying out a series of operations targeting artillery positions and gatherings of Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in Al-Adaysseh, Al-Qantara, Hirmir al-Shuqif, Mzarat Sarda, and Majdel Zoun, using heavy rockets and suicide drones and rocket salvos.

Following the strike on the southern suburb, sharp Iranian positions emerged. Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that the "Zionist aggression" on the southern suburb once again showed that the United States "either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the capability to do so." He added that giving Israel the "green light" cannot lead to extracting concessions, considering that the "good cop and bad cop" policy is now outdated.

Qalibaf continued, "If you lack the will and the ability to fulfill your commitments, it will not be possible to speak of continuing this path," referring to ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

In the first official Iranian position regarding the strike, the Deputy Commander of the "Khatam al-Anbiya" military headquarters stated that "Zionist crimes in the southern suburbs of Beirut will not go unanswered," without clarifying the nature of the response or the party that will undertake it.

These positions come amid increasing sensitivity in U.S.-Iranian negotiations, as a previous escalation linked to the southern suburb ended with a direct Iranian attack on Israel, before Washington halted a broader Israeli response at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, in order to preserve the ongoing understanding efforts with Tehran.