Israeli army prepares for possible resumption of war in Lebanon amid tensions with Iran

Preparations on the Lebanese front

The Israeli army is preparing for a possible resumption of military operations against Lebanon in the event of a new escalation of the conflict with Iran, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday, as cited by the Anadolu agency. According to the newspaper, the military continues operations along the border with Lebanon, preparing positions and updating operational plans with the approaching winter in mind.

Waiting for Washington's decision

According to the newspaper, the Israeli defense establishment is awaiting a US decision on whether to resume military operations against Iran, and the situation could change quickly depending on developments in Washington. According to the report, the Israeli military has not detected any unusual signs of intensified American preparations in the region — only a strengthening of US forces in southern Israel and movements of the American fleet in the Arabian Sea.

Disagreements over the goals of the operation

Yedioth Ahronoth points to differences over the goals of a possible strike: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the newspaper, seeks regime change in Iran, while some officials in Washington favor a quick, intense operation that would weaken Tehran and force it to negotiate from a disadvantageous position. The newspaper also suggested that such an agreement could serve as a political boost for US President Donald Trump after his party's heavy losses in Tuesday's midterm congressional elections.

Disagreements within Israel and context

According to the newspaper, disagreements over Iran also emerged within the Israeli leadership even before the parliamentary elections: Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir clashed with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, who pushed for military action against Tehran. Some Israeli officials, the newspaper writes, believe that Netanyahu is looking for a pretext for a new war with Iran in order to stay in power after his bloc failed to win a majority in the Knesset in the October 27 elections — 53 seats out of 120 against 48 for the opposition bloc.

Background of the conflict

The newspaper recalls the context: the US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28, 2026, a ceasefire was reached in April, and hostilities resumed in July amid deadlocked diplomatic efforts. Washington demands concessions from Tehran on its nuclear program before resuming negotiations, while Iran insists on the lifting of American sanctions, the unfreezing of assets, and permission to export oil. Separately, on June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement on the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied Lebanese territories in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the transfer of security functions to it. The new report thus points to the likelihood of hostilities resuming on the Lebanese front as well, if the Israel–US confrontation with Iran escalates again.