🚨 ISRAEL PREPARES MAJOR ESCALATION IN LEBANON AS HEZBOLLAH DRONE ATTACKS DRIVE DEMANDS FOR EXPANDED STRIKES AND GREATER FREEDOM OF ACTION

‼️ Israeli political and security officials are discussing major changes to Israel’s operational policy in Lebanon following a series of Hezbollah drone attacks targeting IDF forces and civilian areas in northern Israel.

An Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post: “We are going to change the equation - without a doubt.”

Senior Israeli officials described growing frustration over what they view as operational restraints under the ceasefire framework.

A senior Israeli official who participated in limited consultations said: “Right now we are standing helpless before a deadly reality, a roulette of sorts. Improvised solutions on the battlefield (FPV drones) - and improvised solutions in the political field. Soldiers are dying because they are acting against their instinct to seek contact and are focusing on defense, civilians and property have become easy targets for cheap instruments.”

⚠️ Northern local authorities warned residents to prepare for a potentially significant escalation overnight.

Following a situational assessment with the commander of the Northern Command, a local council stated: “It appears we are heading into an especially intense night in Lebanon. This could, of course, impact Hezbollah’s response, particularly in communities along the border fence. Most likely, classes will not take place tomorrow in the border-adjacent communities.”

❌ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced expanded military action against Hezbollah amid growing public pressure to respond to continued attacks from Lebanon.

“We are at war with Hezbollah. I have instructed to press the pedal even harder. We will intensify the strikes - we will crush them decisively.”

Netanyahu added: “In recent weeks alone, our heroic fighters have eliminated more than 600 terrorists. I want you to know this: more than 600 terrorists. But we are not taking our foot off the gas. On the contrary, I said to step on the gas even more. We will hit them hard.”

He also addressed Hezbollah FPV drone attacks: “They are firing drones at us, FPV drones. We have a special team working on this and we will solve this as well.”

🛡️ Israeli officials are focused on securing broader operational freedom in Lebanon through discussions with Washington.

A security source said Israel will not settle for the current level of operational freedom: “Freedom of action is a broad concept - we are working to define it more precisely with the Americans.”

Israel is seeking the ability to strike Hezbollah force-build up capabilities throughout Lebanon, conduct targeted eliminations, and destroy weapons convoys.

Israeli officials were reportedly encouraged by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

🔹 Tomorrow’s security cabinet discussion is expected to focus heavily on Lebanon, amid demands from ministers and the IDF Chief of Staff for significantly stronger military action, including possible strikes in Beirut.

According to i24NEWS, Israeli leadership increasingly believes the current situation cannot continue under the existing framework, particularly amid ongoing negotiations involving Iran.

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized after his conversation with President Trump that Israel’s freedom of action would continue despite Iranian demands to halt fighting on all fronts involving its regional proxies.

An Israeli source told i24NEWS: “The Americans understand that the Iranians are trying to use the framework of the agreement with the U.S. to neutralize Israel’s capabilities. They will not go along with it.”

⚠️ A senior U.S. official told Al Jazeera that Hezbollah ignored repeated requests to stop firing at Israel, including recent warnings.

“Israel will now respond accordingly - this is not the Biden administration.”

The official added: “Hezbollah bears full responsibility for the current situation. It violated the ceasefire on March 2 and is now working to deny the Lebanese people a path to peace and reconstruction.”

The official further stated that direct negotiations between the Lebanese government and Israel, along with possible American support for Lebanon, threaten Hezbollah’s “resistance” narrative and political position.

🔁 If this gave you clarity — forward it.

🌐 Full updates & discussion: https://www.israelrealtime.com