Since the outbreak of the war in Israel 12 days ago, Israeli forces have been conducting extensive operations primarily in the Gaza Strip, the region from which the Hamas organization emerged and carried out a devastating attack resulting in the loss of over 1,400 lives. Shortly after the Hamas attack, there was also an escalation of tensions involving Hezbollah in the northern region.

Over the past few days, numerous rockets and missiles have been launched towards towns near the border fence, along with multiple anti-tank missiles targeting IDF soldiers stationed near the border. As of the current stage, despite the escalation, there hasn't been a significant deterioration leading to the initiation of another front in the conflict.

In Naqoura, Lebanon, sirens can be heard from the UNIFIL (UN) base. pic.twitter.com/JPSJfTVzz4

— Assef Molhem آصف ملحم (@MolhemAssef) October 15, 2023

However, the situation remains highly volatile, and a new front could emerge against Hezbollah at any time, possibly concurrently with the ongoing operations in Gaza and potentially even coinciding with the anticipated ground offensive in the coming days. Meanwhile, initial reports suggest that the UN military force, UNIFIL, has started to withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon due to concerns about escalating tensions. According to these reports, the force is relocating north of the Litani River.

This development comes just a month after the UN Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate without altering the force's authority, following a contentious debate over UNIFIL's operational freedom in the field.

According to the decision and UNIFIL's mandate, Hezbollah is prohibited from being armed in the area south of the Litani River. However, Hezbollah is currently present in practice, showing defiance, while UNIFIL, even before the recent mandate extension, has struggled to assert its authority and has faced humiliation. Israeli officials harbor no illusions that this situation will change overnight, with UN troops suddenly gaining access to suspicious areas in the region, given the limited effectiveness they have demonstrated in the years following the Second Lebanon War.

According to Islamic Republic & Arab Telegram channels, UNIFIL is evacuating Israel/Lebanon border positions in anticipation of imminent war.pic.twitter.com/xtzD7fUnVe

— SiaAyrom (@siaayrom) October 18, 2023

Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to maintain a tense presence in the border area, repeatedly launching anti-tank missiles at both civilian and military targets in Israel. Hezbollah has confirmed that five of its members were killed and released a video documenting an attack on a vehicle in the Israeli town of Metula, which resulted in injuries to two Israeli reservists and a civilian. In a statement about the upcoming protests, Hezbollah referred to the explosion at a Gaza hospital and stated, "These crimes reveal the true face of Israel and condemn the United States as the primary instigator and accomplice in all of Israel's actions."