Starting Sunday morning, new directives took effect for Israeli forces operating in Lebanon as part of preparations for an agreement taking hold. Under the new rules, troops are banned from opening fire on terrorists preemptively—a sharp departure from the policy in recent weeks.
According to the orders, opening fire will only be permitted when troops identify a clear and immediate threat, similar to rules of engagement used inside Israel. At the same time, forces on the ground were instructed to avoid staying in fixed positions for extended periods and to move slowly between different points to avoid becoming static targets.
Alongside the changes in rules of engagement, a senior security official is warning that Hezbollah may try to exploit the coming days before the agreement takes effect Friday. According to the official, there’s concern the group will attempt an unusual move against Israeli forces while offensive operations are restricted.
The official said the main fear is an attempt to create a scenario similar to “Hadar Goldin 2″—a kidnapping or attack on forces in the field that could reshape the security situation just before the agreement fully takes hold. The coming days are considered especially sensitive and require heightened alertness from forces operating in the sector, he said.